Wild rabbits are obligate herbivores, meaning their diet consists entirely of plant matter. These adaptable, opportunistic feeders consume a wide array of vegetation found within their habitats. Their foraging habits are driven by plant availability and nutritional needs, providing essential energy and nutrients.
Staple Wild Foods
Grasses form the most significant portion of a wild rabbit’s diet, providing essential fiber for digestive health and continuous dental wear. They consume various types, including timothy, orchard, bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue, abundant in meadows and fields. Constant chewing on fibrous plant material is crucial because a rabbit’s teeth grow continuously; without sufficient abrasive foods, their teeth can become overgrown, leading to severe health issues.
Beyond grasses, wild rabbits regularly forage on a variety of broadleaf weeds and herbaceous plants. Common examples include dandelions, clover, chickweed, plantain, and yarrow. These leafy greens supplement their diet with additional vitamins and minerals. The fiber in these plants also aids in maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract, preventing digestive slowdowns that can be life-threatening for rabbits.
Seasonal Foraging and Supplemental Diets
A wild rabbit’s diet shifts with changing seasons, especially when primary food sources become scarce. During winter, when fresh grasses and leafy greens are less available, rabbits consume woody plant materials. This includes bark and twigs from trees like willow, birch, maple, pine, and spruce, along with dormant buds and fallen leaves for sustenance.
Rabbits are also known to consume fruits and vegetables opportunistically when accessible, such as berries, apples, and garden crops like lettuce, kale, and carrots. While these items can provide additional nutrients, they constitute a much smaller part of their overall wild diet compared to grasses and weeds. Their consumption often depends on proximity to human cultivated areas and the availability of preferred natural forage.
Plants Rabbits Generally Avoid
Wild rabbits avoid plants that are toxic, unpalatable, or have undesirable physical properties. Many contain natural chemical compounds causing illness or a bitter taste, deterring consumption. Highly toxic examples include foxglove, daffodils, lilies, rhododendrons, yew, and nightshade species.
Some plants are avoided due to their strong scents or unappealing textures. Herbs like lavender, rosemary, sage, and mint often deter rabbits due to their pungent aromas. Plants with fuzzy or prickly leaves, such as lamb’s ear and mulleins, are also generally bypassed. While a hungry rabbit might sample almost anything, these plants are consistently less appealing and typically left untouched in favor of more palatable options.