Rabbits are shy creatures. As prey animals, they have trust issues even with their kind, let alone human beings. Bunny’s inbuilt settings do not allow them to be friends with every nice-looking creature they see.
Many predators out there fool their prey into believing they are harmless. The hunter will then attack the hunted animal as soon as its guard is down.
However, rabbits are clever animals and know better. Due to the high sense of vulnerability and fear, it is challenging to befriend a rabbit, especially if it is a wild rabbit. So, how to befriend a wild rabbit?
Befriending a rabbit is challenging but not impossible. If you lure the rabbit to you instead of chasing it, your chances are high to be its friend. Plus, it would help if you always let your rabbit get used to you before getting close and personal with it. Once the wild rabbit has made new and less strict boundaries with you, you will have an unbreakable bond with it.
Rabbits are great pets to have. They help reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness. A cute furry animal running, hopping, and zooming about your place all day is bound to make your life full of zest and joy.
Domestic rabbits make better pets than wild rabbits. However, nothing is impossible once you put your mind to it and know your path. Keep scrolling to learn more about befriending a wild rabbit!
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How To Know If A Rabbit Is Wild?
To befriend a wild rabbit, you must know what differentiates a wild rabbit from a tame one. Wild bunnies have particular caution and alertness in their body language.
As these rabbits live in the wild, they are more exposed to predators and dangerous living conditions. In contrast, a tame animal has a sense of calm and restfulness in its body language.
The nature of wild rabbits makes it difficult for humans to befriend them by reaching out to them.
These furry guys have intense trust issues and anxiety, which makes them run far away as soon as they see a human in sight. So, proceed with caution when trying to lure a wild rabbit.
Here are a few attributes of a wild furry rabbit:
- Wild bunnies have a unique shade of grey-brown in their fur.
- They have a white underside to their tail that helps them stay safe and alert other bunnies in the wilderness.
- These little furry guys are of small stature to increase their survival chances.
- Wild rabbits weigh approximately 1.5 to 2kgs.
- Rabbits of the wilderness tend to live up to 9 years. However, in harsher circumstances, their mortality gets high.
Identifying a wild rabbit is the first and most important step toward creating a unique and meaningful relationship with the animal. Once you get the hang of this, the rest will be exciting.
How To Attract A Wild Bunny Rabbit?
After identifying a wild bunny rabbit, the next step will be getting your hand on one. Attracting a dog or a cat is an easy task. You can approach cats and dogs and pet them to show them you are friendly and safe. However, rabbits are pretty different from their furry fellows.
Attracting a rabbit will require you to do the bare minimum and show the animal that you mean no harm. You can only do this by giving the rabbit time and alone time. It is up to the rabbit to decide when you are a safe person. Here are a few things you can do to gain a wild rabbit’s trust:
Never Approach the Rabbit
It is best not to run or chase a wild rabbit. Instead of grabbing or attracting the wild rabbit, you will scare and terrify the poor creature with your hastiness. A wild rabbit is small compared to humans. If it sees a tall figure approaching it, the bunny’s flight or fight instinct will encourage the rabbit to run away in a panic.
Place a Treat
Like in cartoons, when a character wants to lure another, it places delicious food to do the magic. It would be best to use the same technique to attract a wild rabbit.
You can put out some hay or veggies to awaken the curiosity of the wild bunny rabbit. These furry creatures love to eat hay and will surely come sniffing.
Reveal Yourself Slowly
After feeding the wild rabbit for a couple of days, you can hope that it sees your premises as a safe space. You can gradually reveal yourself to the bunny and see if it approaches you.
The rabbit will come closer to you if you gain the wild rabbit’s trust. However, if that is not the case, keep giving the bunny food and try the reveal again after a week or two.
Touch The Bunny
If the rabbit is not afraid of you and comes closer, try touching its nose slightly. A wild rabbit that sees you as a threat will retreat and run for life. If that happens, wait patiently for the wild rabbit to come back.
Be Patient
Gaining a wild rabbit’s trust can take plenty of time. Keep your heart and continue your efforts. If you take the steps mentioned above, you will succeed in making a wild rabbit your best friend.
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How To Befriend A Wild Bunny Rabbit?
Once you successfully lure a wild rabbit, you must try to befriend it. To bring the wild rabbit into your home and live with you, you must do more than lure it through some delicious treat.
Remember that when befriending a rabbit, it is not about you. You must make the process easier for the bunny rabbit, as the animal is probably scared of you. If you do the following, the wild rabbit will be able to befriend the animal:
Let It Be Free To Run
A wild rabbit will often run away from you from time to time. Do not attempt to stop it, as your restriction will make the bunny feel trapped and panic.
A wild rabbit’s basic instinct is to run away from the slightest discomfort and anxiety. Be patient with the animal, which is the key to befriending the furry little being.
Lower Your Height
Rabbits are scared of tall animals as they classify them as predators and dangerous. If you want a wild rabbit to know you are a safe person, you should get to its level.
Either lie down or sit on the ground with the bunny rabbit. It will ensure the animal that you have your guard down, which will induce a sense of safety in the furry creature.
Stay Clean And Devoid Of Smells
Like cats and dogs, rabbits can smell when you have spent time with other animals. If you have another pet, like a dog or a cat, make sure your clothes do not smell like them when you approach your rabbit. These animals make your rabbit feel unsafe and anxious for its life.
Use A Trail Of Food
Food is the best way to befriend a wild rabbit. You can create a trail of yummy greens and pellets to make a wild rabbit come toward you. Once it eats the trail and sees you at the end, the wild rabbit will associate you with safety and warmth.
Use Your Gentle Voice
Communicating and talking with the wild rabbit will strengthen your bond. When talking to the rabbit, use your gentle and polite voice. Rabbits are anxious animals and are sacred to loud noises.
Leave A Scared Rabbit Alone
If you accidentally scare the poor wild rabbit, it is okay. All you need to do is let the bunny be alone and calm down.
Do not attempt to relax the wild rabbit in this situation. The rabbit will go into shock and can have a heart attack. Some alone time will decrease the wild rabbit’s anxiety, and it will approach you when it is ready.
Do Not Lift The Bunny In The Air
Rabbits are used to being on the ground. If you lift them in the air, it can be a frightening experience for them. Rabbits cannot lift their head to see.
So, the heightened view will be new to them and trigger the rabbit’s anxiety. If you want to pick up the wild rabbit, sit down and grab it in your lap. Of course, you must do all this after you have created a strong bond with the animal.
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Final Word
When considering getting a pet rabbit, you should lean toward a domesticated rabbit rather than a wild one. Wild rabbits can be tricky and require plenty of vet visits, bunny-proofing, vaccinations, and extra effort to befriend.
If you are willing to go the extra mile, wild rabbits are cute, beautiful, and super cuddly once they get comfortable with you. No matter which type of rabbit you go for, provide them with love, care, and attention, along with loads of hay, greens, and fruits as treats. A happy bunny means a happy you!
