If you are raising rabbits on a homestead or have one or two pet rabbits, you most likely already know that your bunny is a natural prey animal. As such, there are a number of potential predators that you must be aware of, such as badgers.
That’s right, badgers are known to eat small animals such as rabbits. However, these nocturnal predators aren’t a threat to all rabbits, read on to learn when and why a badger may hunt your rabbit!
What Do Badgers Eat
Badgers are natural omnivores. As such, these hunters enjoy a wide range of different foods. As Woodland Trust states, a badgers diet is diverse and includes:
- Nuts
- Carrion
- Plant materials
- Rats and mice
- Fruits
- Rabbits
- Amphibians
In fact, the badger’s extensive diet is similar to other omnivorous rabbit predators such as foxes and racoons.
Why Do Badgers Eat Bunnies
Badgers eat rabbits because they are a small mammal that lives (when in the wild) in underground dens and burrows.
The badger’s large claws and nose are great for digging, which gives them an advantage when hunting small mammals that house themselves underground such as rabbits and mice.
In addition, badgers can grow to be very large – a small rabbit is not much of a challenge for these hunters.
Badgers Eating Bunnies
If your rabbit lives indoors then it is not at much risk of being hunted and eaten by a local badger.
This is because your house and an enclosed shed, barn, or garage structure are much harder for any predator to break into.
As such, housing your rabbits indoors greatly reduces the risk of your rabbit being hunted by natural predators. In addition, your rabbit is at less risk of being hunted by a badger if it is indoors and tucked away in its house by nightfall; being naturally nocturnal, night time is when badgers begin to hunt.
Keeping Rabbits Safe From Badgers
Here are some key tips that will help protect your rabbits from badgers:
- Ensure there are no holes in the floor, top, or walls of your rabbit’s hutch or house – any gap, no matter how small, is immediate access for a badger’s strong claws and mouth.
- Place your rabbit’s hutch or house above the ground – make sure it is at least 2-3ft high in a clear area, using thin but sturdy legs that discourage climbing.
- Patch up any tears in the hutch or house wiring – if you patch gaps as soon as you notice them, your rabbit will be much safer.
- Do not let your rabbits roam at night – we enjoy giving our rabbits outside time in a protected rabbit yard during the day, but always bring them back to their hutches well before nightfall to avoid dangerous predators.
- Store rabbit food properly – opt for a lockable, metal container that is kept away from, or at least not right beside, your rabbit’s hutches.
It is also a great idea to check your yard, field, and local surroundings for signs of badgers.
How do you know if a badger lives nearby?
Check out this great article by Improve Veterinary Practice, which includes the telltale signs such as:
- Tufts of badger hair on fences
- Setts (aka badger burrows)
- Trodden down pathways
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Do Badgers Kill Rabbits
Do Rabbits And Badgers Live Together?
It is not uncommon that rabbits and badgers live in the same habitat. Both are burrowing animals and enjoy fields, hollows, and forests. However, these two animals never live together in the same burrow.
Badgers are naturally predators of rabbits, as such, rabbits avoid being around badgers as much as they can!
What Animal Kills Rabbits At Night?
If your rabbit is left out during night there are a number of potential predators that may cause it harm, including:
- Foxes
- Raccoons
- Owls
- Snakes
- Badgers
Final Thoughts on Do Badgers Kill Bunnies
Due to their great digging ability badgers pose a unique threat to wild rabbits, who naturally dig burrows for themselves.
However, your domestic rabbits, if housed in a secure and strong hutch or house, are not likely to have any trouble from local badgers. Nonetheless, we highly recommend investigating the outdoor area where you allow your rabbits to roam; know the potential predators in your area!
And most importantly, always ensure they are safe inside their hutch by nightfall.
Here is a popular video about the brave and ferocious Honey Badger