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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 9 to 33 of 33. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 11:41:19
In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Tabitha, posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2008, at 21:02:52
How can they survive in l00 degrees it's that hot out today? Greg said they were moving in there?Phillipa
Posted by Midnightblue on June 6, 2008, at 13:34:22
In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work, posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 11:41:19
You really MUST leave them alone or Mom will abandon them. We had some in our flower bed one year and Mom did a great job. We just stole peeks from the window.
Posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 20:11:10
In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Phillipa, posted by Midnightblue on June 6, 2008, at 13:34:22
Today one hopped out of the nest and hopped away got scared by noise of hose I guess had to catch and put back in nest. Mom just came and nursed them and she has a hurt limping leg. Babies about six inches long and they stayed outside the burrow when Mom left. How long will it be til they can care for themself? Afraid since hawks here Mom might be killed. Phillipa
Posted by Midnightblue on June 6, 2008, at 23:51:25
In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Midnightblue, posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 20:11:10
You should NOT have picked it up and put it back in the nest. Honestly, leave them alone. Don't do anything near them. One day they will all leave.
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2008, at 0:26:41
In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work, posted by Midnightblue on June 6, 2008, at 23:51:25
Boy was I hoping you'd answer the thread. Okay the Mom came and she has an injured back leg. See they built our houses where there used to be a farm. The man still lives in the original farmhouse behind us about four houses down. A big fence divides the land but he planted a vegtable garden down near our back yard behind the fence. And was thinking what if this man hurt the Mom so she wouldn't eat his vegtables. And she was fine last night. Tonight she was hobbling. And she's still licking them for them to defacate and urinate. Should we try to help the Mom? She didn't mind me putting the baby back. After she hobbled off the babies played around the pinestraw near the air conditioning unit. So they are getting out a bit on their own. Haven't seen the Father in a couple of days. What if she doesn't come tomorrow should we call someone about the Mom and babies? I am an animal lover. Only put the baby back as thought he might get lost. Love Phillipa
Posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 3:42:09
In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Midnightblue, posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 20:11:10
You shouldn't have touched the baby.
It's *not* being an animal lover.
They need to have a healthy fear of humans.
It's nature, sometimes things happen.
I mean, Mother Rabbits eat there babies sometimes.Too much intrusion (which this is already)
And the mom will just leave.
Why did you even ask anyone for advice?
Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 6:47:05
In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work, posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 3:42:09
http://www.messingerwoods.org/babybunny.htm
"Touching Baby Bunnies/Misconception
Touching baby bunnies will NOT make the mother abandon (leave) them. This is a common misconception people mistakenly have."
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/542516
Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 7:00:49
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 6:47:05
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080524182912AAYBv1N
Posted by Racer on June 7, 2008, at 9:31:58
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 7:00:49
Life is hard. Animals have managed to survive in this world for a long time. Some animals do not survive, and that's sad -- and it's also natural.
In this case, leaving them alone is the best thing to do. The mother will have all sorts of instincts and likely experience regarding how to protect her offspring from excessive heat -- WITHOUT HUMAN INTERVENTION. Too much human smell around her burrow is more likely to cause problems than to help. The farmer down the road probably has nothing to do with the mother's leg -- that's much more likely to be caused by a neighborhood dog. Few cats bother rabbits -- in fact, rabbits are pretty well able to chase cats off, in my experience. The water you put out, and especially the ice, will have extensive chemical treatment, and will likely taste and smell funny to the mother. Leave some out, by all means, but try to minimize the time you spend anywhere near the burrow.
If you call animal control, they're not likely to do much. If you call to have them come get these rabbits, they're more likely to come out and exterminate them. The very best thing you can do is to leave them alone.
And the hardest thing an animal lover has to do in these situations is the hardest -- leave them alone.
And if you don't believe what everyone is saying here, and you choose to do something different, just remember that you came here and asked for advice. You got advice. Continuing to ask for advice, because you don't like what you've heard, isn't going to change the advice you're being given.
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2008, at 12:21:44
In reply to General comment about this topic, posted by Racer on June 7, 2008, at 9:31:58
Racer I agree with the advise no dogs as there are leash laws here but since so much building and clearing of land some coyote's have been seen in the area. I've googled the topic and they even said to stay away from vets. And even with proper care on l0% survive with humans caring for them. Mom did like the ice that time in water. Never in the backyard too hot. Glad to hear they can get away from most cats. We did live in the woods once and had a cat that caught rabbits and left them in the garage dead and full grown. No animals except wild ones city ordinances call for leashes thankfully . Thanks to everyone who answered the thread. Learned a lot like no rabies in rabbits. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2008, at 12:32:39
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 7:00:49
Deneb thanks they are hopping out of the den on own now. Just replaced the baby. It was scared but safe with brothers and sisters. It's the Mom I'm more worried about. she's still stimulating the urine and nursing. But they look like the first link of the tiny baby about 6 inches long hope they are about ready to care for themselves. Didn't know that about the birds but was told once just replace in nest if they fall out and Mother will not reject them. How does the Mother know our smell? Love Phillipa
Posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 13:49:23
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 6:47:05
As with birds it's true that touching bunnies won't automatically cause the mother to leave, It is a misconception based on a truth though. Too much intrusion which definitely includes handling around a nest or burrow can cause the mother to leave.
Wild animals don't give birth in areas that are subject to intrusion by anything; with the exception of animals that have been forced to adapt to city living. Even domesticated animals will still instinctively find a quiet sheltered place to give birth ie, the closet, not the kitchen. There's a reason for this.
It reminds me of a story I read about sea turtles.
Newly hatched sea turtles are subject to being eaten by hawks. An observer saw one tiny sea turtle walking out of the birth area alone while a hawk hovered overhead. She picked it up and put it back with the others.In just a few minutes all the babies walked out and were demolished by hawks. She didn't know that if she'd left them alone only one would have died, that's how the turtles know if there is danger in the area, one goes out, if it's attacked the others know to stay hidden.
Personally I think our fellow creatures would do better with a lot less "love" and a little more respect.
We think like humans, and forcing what we think is a good idea onto different but equal creatures is another shining example of the human superiority complex.
Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 14:26:51
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 13:49:23
Handling some baby animals does run the risk of the mother eating them. I know it's true for pet hamsters.
I didn't know rabbits sometimes eat their babies too. Interesting. I thought they were herbivores and didn't eat any meat.
Posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 14:50:39
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 14:26:51
> I didn't know rabbits sometimes eat their babies too. Interesting. I thought they were herbivores and didn't eat any meat.Interesting I never thought of that part
Are hamsters meat eaters?
I can just google of course but I just felt like asking.
Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 14:56:02
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Deneb, posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 14:50:39
Hamsters don't eat a lot of meat, but they do sometimes, especially insects. They also like hard boiled egg.
When the mother hamster eats her babies, it's usually because she was too young and inexperienced to have babies.
Also I know you're supposed to leave the babies alone and not clean for cage for a while.
Posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 15:14:25
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 14:56:02
Thanks, it's interesting. I looked it up and someone said they eat chicken and fish.
That made me giggle, but I don't suppose they really hunt them down, just eat it happily when it's handed to them in little pieces.I read also that rabbits and hamsters eat their babies because they're too young or inexperienced, another article said it was a way of protecting them. I would guess both are ways to protect not the individual "families" but the species, because it would weed out the weak.
Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 15:33:41
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Deneb, posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 15:14:25
> Thanks, it's interesting. I looked it up and someone said they eat chicken and fish.
> That made me giggle, but I don't suppose they really hunt them down, just eat it happily when it's handed to them in little pieces.OMGosh, that is funny. Imagine my hamster Butterball hunting! LOL She's so cute. Hamsters don't hunt. LOL I love my hamster. She's sweet.
>
> I read also that rabbits and hamsters eat their babies because they're too young or inexperienced, another article said it was a way of protecting them. I would guess both are ways to protect not the individual "families" but the species, because it would weed out the weak.Yeah and I think it's also for the survival of the mother. If she's young and inexperienced and the babies don't stand a good chance of surviving, then it's better for her to reabsorb some of the nutrients and energy that was spent being pregnant.
Most mammals also eat their placentas after giving birth, except humans. I guess it's not really eating meat, it's more reabsorbing nutrients. I think there are recipes out there for human placenta, sounds yucky. LOL I wonder if early humans did it?
Posted by gardenergirl on June 7, 2008, at 16:08:26
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Deneb, posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2008, at 12:32:39
> Deneb thanks they are hopping out of the den on own now. Just replaced the baby. It was scared but safe with brothers and sisters.
With all due respect, Phillipa, you really can't know whether it's the appropriate time for the babies to start leaving the burrow, let alone whether it's "scared" or not. Picking it up and putting it back is interfering with the bunny's opportunity to learn from experience. I think you'll find if you let them be that they are quite adaptable. Rabbits have survived despite all kinds of environmental effects. I would hazard a guess that they are much better at it than we are, actually, (she says as she curses the high humidity despite the lowered temperature and ponders how much energy she's wasting by using the AC anyway.)
It's true that predators' hunting grounds are shrinking. This year I found the evidence of a bobcat's meal of a rabbit in my yard. Yuck. I confirmed this when I saw the bobcat itself. Sad for the poor rabbit, I suppose, though if it was the one who ate all the rosebuds off my miniature rose, well.... But at any rate, bobcats are endangered in my state, so it's a good thing to spot one that's doing well, even if it did make me nervous for pets and small children. ;) And even if it did eat what was probably a cute rabbit and leave the pickings under my maple tree. (shudders)
But my point is, some rabbits are going to survive, and some aren't. They do this without human interference beyond what we've done with land development and the use of chemicals, etc. They know way way way more about being baby bunnies than we'll ever hope to know. Trust in nature, Phillipa. Try not to anthropomorphize them. Wild animals are not pets. They are not like fuzzy humans despite how cute they are and how much we try to interpret their behavior.
Stay cool. 100 degrees sounds miserable for humans.
gg
Posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 17:24:33
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Phillipa, posted by gardenergirl on June 7, 2008, at 16:08:26
I'm a little off topic, but this news story will forever stay in my brain, and it's from 15 years ago. During a development boom a lot of mountain area was cleared for housing in the North Vancouver Area. Well. SURPRISE! People were finding cougars in their yards. A woman who was being casually interviewed had had her cat eaten.
She said, and this a direct quote.
"They just have to do something about this wildlife!"
What do you say to that?
I'm a vegetarian because my heart breaks at the way animals are raised for food. But with wild things, even I think nature is nature, and it was doing just fine (well much better) before humans felt they could rope off an area of it and name it a "park".
You could catch a wild bird and keep it safe from harm by caging it, but it would still be a cruel thing to do.
Posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2008, at 13:38:52
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » gardenergirl, posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 17:24:33
Not that strange coyotes have been seen in our highly populated area. Bunnies are gone too. Think they sleep in nest at night now sure. Hope they made it and the Mom too. Phillipa
Posted by Gabbee on June 9, 2008, at 22:22:16
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Gabbee, posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2008, at 13:38:52
Think they sleep in nest at night now sure. Hope they made it and the Mom too. Phillipa
I hope so too.
Posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2008, at 18:58:25
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Phillipa, posted by Gabbee on June 9, 2008, at 22:22:16
One I know didn't found just the poor babies fur on the back of yard. Actually asked the farmer behind us not to hurt my baby bunnies. He said it was the Hawk. And he said the Mother eats his vegtable garden and if this was the country he would shoot them all. I told him no I love My bunnies please watch over them. Love Phillipa
Posted by Gabbee on June 12, 2008, at 12:58:41
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Gabbee, posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2008, at 18:58:25
aww that's sad :(
I'm glad it wasn't a cat though. They can be so cruel. I had such a battle in my head when my cats would catch something and bat it around.
I didn't want to interfere with their nature, but I didn't want to see a little animal being tormented either. Sometimes I had to intervene though, I couldn't stand watching the poor things. Other times when they were stalking something I'd just walk up and say "Hey guys what's up?" I'm sure they grumbled and said nasty things to each other about me when I walked away.
Posted by Phillipa on June 12, 2008, at 20:41:51
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Gabbee on June 12, 2008, at 12:58:41
I know I hope the others made it. As that Mom was hurt. What bothers me the most is the night before Mom was still stimulating for defacation and urination. Hope Mom didn't find herself unable to come back to nurse. And babies could have been looking for her. Well they are gone the burrow is empty. Love Phillipa
Posted by TexasChic on June 23, 2008, at 20:06:52
In reply to Tiny Baby Bunnies In House In Back Yard What to do, posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2008, at 17:39:57
This is the end of the thread.
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