henry d Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 Earlier this week I couldn`t sleep and went for an earlier than normal walk with the dogs. There were a lot of rabbits about and I noticed that one had a bundle of vegetation in its mouth,it looked like dried grasses and dockstems mainly and it just sauntered away before I could photograph it. I`ve seen this once before a few years ago and I wondered if anyone had seen this before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 Once upon a time, a young inexperienced ferreter went out in the Spring and got a lay-up, then had to dig for his ferrets, he found that most rabbits drag dried grass and stuff down their holes to make nests. I ain't saying who the young, inexpeienced ferreter was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 Moss Grass etc makes a good soft insulater against the cold ground for the baby rabbits LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted May 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 I`ve dug down on occaisions and found belly fur and never had stuff like I saw the rabbit carrying,just wondered if anyone had seen a rabbit carrying dried nesting material above ground? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 HenryD maybe you should stay in bed and get some more sleep, try counting rabbits instead of sheep it's more restful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nildes Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 When I used to keep rabbits as pets, they used to drag some hay into a corner before giving birth. I think the mother also groomed off some of the fur around her teats too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poacher Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 anything like this Henry ?? I think its part of their make-up to prepare a little den before giving birth as with most things.... the rabbits above are a different wild breed so would share some of the same instinct, as it was the romans (don;t quote me on that) ? that brought them here in the first place..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 Under certain conditions rabbits actually live above ground. Last year I came upon a pair of rabbits that were nested above ground. They were asleep and cuddled up togther. It wasn't until the first one looked up that I saw it was under the influence of mixy. Maybe this has a bearing on it I forget where I heard that they do nest above ground but when i do then i'll post the info'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 Is it not Hare's that nest above ground? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 Axe is correct it is usually hares that nest above ground. Over the years though I have fiund two cottontail nests above ground. One under a very close growing pine tree and the other in a brush pile. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 They are usualy shallow in crop fields, no more than half an arm length down. Straw & fur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishdave Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 I watched a badger draging a load of leaf litter down its hole last week. I asume it was crating a nest for the impending cubs. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 You will find young bucks above ground weather permitting and I have seen a fair few this year. Easily confused with hares. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted May 26, 2006 Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 anything like this Henry ?? I think its part of their make-up to prepare a little den before giving birth as with most things.... the rabbits above are a different wild breed so would share some of the same instinct, as it was the romans (don;t quote me on that) ? that brought them here in the first place..... Got to say that them thar rabbits looks more loike hares to me boy ;-))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 You will find young bucks above ground weather permitting and I have seen a fair few this year. Easily confused with hares. LB Any idea why though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted June 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Dominant does kick them out of the family warrens and if they try to get into a buck`s.......... So they tend to have to stay above ground for a while until they can sort out a pecking order or dig a hole/find an empty one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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