If you have ever seen a rabbit hole in your yard or garden, you may have wondered if rabbits dig those holes to give birth and raise their young. As a rabbit owner or someone who wants to learn more about the reproductive behaviors of rabbits, having the answer to this question will help you better understand these delightful creatures.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Rabbits do not dig holes specifically for giving birth. However, they will use underground burrows and tunnels to protect their young.
Why Rabbits Use Undergound Burrows and Tunnels
Protection from Predators
Rabbits are prey animals and thus need to protect themselves from predators like foxes, coyotes, bobcats, snakes, and birds of prey. To avoid becoming dinner, rabbits dig underground burrows and tunnels to hide from predators (WabbitWiki).
These burrow systems have multiple entrances and allow rabbits quick escape routes. Some burrows can be quite extensive, reaching over 40 feet in length!
Additionally, mother rabbits dig burrows to protect their young kits. The burrows help shield the baby bunnies from harsh weather and predators. Mother rabbits line the burrows with fur to keep the kits warm.
The nursery chamber is often dug below ground, keeping the newborn rabbits safely tucked away (Aspects of Wildlife).
Regulate Temperature
Rabbits also burrow underground to find cooler temperatures in the summer and insulation in the winter. By digging tunnels and chambers below ground, rabbits can avoid extreme cold and heat. The earth maintains temperatures between 50-60°F, which is an ideal range for rabbits (WabbitWiki).
In winter months, rabbits will curl up in their burrows to stay warm. And in summer, they lounge in their underground dens to beat the heat. By burrowing, rabbits can self-regulate their body temperature more easily.
Shelter from Weather
In additional to regulating temperature, burrows provide rabbits shelter from all types of inclement weather. Heavy rains, snowstorms, and even hurricanes are no match for a nice underground rabbit den. Rabbits can ride out storms in their sturdy burrows without facing exposure to the elements.
And mother rabbits take advantage of burrows when giving birth. The underground nesting area shelters newborn kits from harsh winds, downpours, and storms during their first few weeks of life (WabbitWiki). The burrows truly provide all-weather protection for rabbits.
Do Rabbits Give Birth in Burrows?
When preparing to give birth, mother rabbits engage in specific nesting behaviors to create a warm, safe space for their kits.
Nesting Behavior Before Giving Birth
In the days before giving birth, pregnant rabbits will search for materials to build a nest. The expectant mother may collect items such as grass, leaves, straw, or fur in her chosen nesting spot. She uses her teeth and paws to arrange these materials into the shape of a shallow bowl or bird’s nest shape.
This nest building behavior is purely instinctual.
Location of the Nest
Mother rabbits give birth and house their young in nests they dig or set up above ground. They rarely use pre-existing rabbit burrows or holes for this purpose. Common locations for rabbit nests include:
- Vegetation patches in yards or parks
- Under bushes, hedges, or overgrown plants
- The corner of a garage, shed, or porch
- Piles of yard debris
Nests are often hidden for safety but placed where the mother still has access. According to WabbitWiki, over 90% of births occur above ground, not underground in rabbit burrows.
Lining the Nest with Fur
In her final nest preparation, the mother rabbit will line the bottom with soft fur plucked from her own coat and belly. This fur lining helps hold in warmth and protects the fragile newborn bunnies after birth.
Once complete, she will give birth in the cozy nest where her babies will nurse for a few weeks before venturing out.
Caring for Baby Rabbits in a Burrow
Nursing Schedule
Mother rabbits, called does, only nurse their babies once or twice a day for just 3-5 minutes each time. This brief nursing schedule keeps the nest clean and helps avoid attracting predators. The doe’s rich milk enables the babies to grow and develop quickly on this schedule.
Newborn rabbits nurse more frequently at first, then gradually transition to less frequent, longer nursing sessions as they get older.
Weaning Process
Baby rabbits, called kittens or bunnies, are usually weaned around 4-6 weeks old. Weaning is the process of transitioning the babies from their mother’s milk to solid foods. Around 3 weeks old, the doe begins limiting nursing access to encourage the kittens to start eating solid foods.
The doe starts by not coming to the nest as often. Then she limits nursing time when she does come. By 4-6 weeks old, the kittens are fully weaned and no longer require milk from their mother.
When Babies Start Leaving the Nest
Baby rabbits start exploring the world outside the nest burrow around 3 weeks old. At first, they just poke their heads out to look around. By 4 weeks old, they venture farther from the nest for longer periods. But they still return to nurse and sleep.
Around 5-6 weeks old, the kittens are hopping around freely and no longer use the nest burrow. The doe shows the kittens the territory and teaches them survival skills like foraging for food.
Preparing a Nest Box for Breeding Rabbits
Choosing a nest box
When preparing for rabbit breeding, one of the most important steps is choosing an appropriate nest box for the doe to give birth in. The nest box provides a safe, sheltered space for the kits to be born and spend their first few weeks of life.
There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a nest box:
- Size – The box should be large enough for the doe to comfortably fit inside and move around. For medium-sized breeds, a box around 12″ x 18″ x 12″ is usually suitable.
- Material – Wooden nest boxes are traditional, but plastic and wire ones work too. Avoid materials that could harbor bacteria.
- Design – A box with a sloped roof and raised floor is ideal to keep kits safely corralled. Make sure there is a way for the doe to enter and exit easily.
- Bedding holder – Some boxes have a mesh floor insert to hold extra bedding. This prevents the doe from dragging it all outside the box.
It’s a good idea to provide nesting material like hay, straw, or shredded paper for comfort and warmth. Ultimately, the nest box should be a secure, comfortable spot the doe is happy to use!
Filling the box with bedding
An important step in preparing the nest box is providing plenty of suitable bedding material the doe can use to create a warm, soft nest for her kits. Good nesting materials include:
- Straw – A classic nesting material, straw provides great insulation. Make sure it is clean and fresh, not dusty.
- Hay – Grass hay like timothy or orchard grass contains fewer dust and molds than straw. Chopped hay is easier for the doe to arrange.
- Fleece or soft fabric – Natural fibers like cotton or wool hold heat well. Be sure fabric has not been treated with chemicals.
- Shredded paper – Paper bedding is economical and absorbent. Use ink-free paper like plain newsprint.
Provide 3-6 inches of bedding material and replenish as needed. The doe will dig and burrow in it to create the perfect fur-lined nest for her litter! Just before kindling, her fur will also help insulate the nest.
Putting the box in the hutch
When preparing the rabbit hutch for breeding, properly positioning the nest box can help encourage the doe’s natural maternal instincts.
- Place the box in a quiet, sheltered corner of the hutch a few weeks before kindling is expected.
- Avoid high-traffic areas where the litter could get stepped on or startled.
- Attach the box securely to prevent tipping but don’t completely enclose it – the doe needs to be able to enter and exit freely.
- Provide plentiful food and water close to the box so nursing does don’t have to leave the litter for long periods.
By optimizing the location of the nest box, you can give the doe a suitable place to kindle and minimize complications. Be sure to give her privacy during kindling and resist the urge to disturb the nest until kits emerge on their own.
With a properly prepared nest box, you can help get bunny breeding off to a good start!
Conclusion
While rabbits do not dig special holes for giving birth, their natural underground burrows and tunnels do provide protection and shelter for both mother and baby rabbits. Understanding the nesting habits of rabbits can help you properly care for breeding and newborn rabbits.
Providing an artificial nest box lined with soft bedding can give mother rabbits a secure place to build their nest and feed their young in your backyard or rabbit hutch.
