Bunny rabbits are gentle, tolerant, and furry little mammals. Their pleasant disposition and hardiness make them dearly loved pets and ideal hobby farm or homestead additions.
However, rabbits are natural prey animals and have a large number of real potential predators.
Fortunately, we know a thing or two about what eats a rabbit and rabbit predators after years on our own hobby farm.
The Top Rabbit Predators are:
- Foxes, Coyotes, Wolves
- Feral Cats, Bobcats and Lynx
- Owls, Hawks, and Eagles
So in this post we will share all you need to know about identifying, discouraging, and preventing rabbit predators from eating your bunnies, including topics such as:
- Why do rabbits have predators?
- How do rabbits defend themselves?
- What kills rabbits at night?
- What kills rabbits in the city?
- How to protect rabbits from predators
Read on to learn all about rabbit predator risks.
Rabbits as a Small Prey Animal
A prey animal is one that is hunted, killed and eaten by another animal.
Prey animals range from buffalo to mice, with the most common and easily identifiable ones being small prey animals.
Small prey animals are critters that are heavily preyed on by an array of different predators. In the case of rabbits, they are ideal small prey because they
- Reproduce rapidly to maintain population size
- Are rather defenseless against predators – they practice “flight” not “fight”
- Can be found in a broad range of habitats
For these reasons, life isn’t usually long for wild rabbits.
But what about domestic, backyard, or farm rabbits?
These bunnies share the same exact characteristics as their wild cousins with the unique difference of a more protected and less-risky life.
However, a predator can and will eat your domestic rabbit.
It is very important to make sure you guard against rabbit predators no matter where you keep your bunny.
How Do Rabbits Defend Themselves
When threatened by predators, rabbits do have a few natural defense mechanisms that they instinctively apply, including:
- Speed – For short bursts, rabbits are very fast and will often try to quickly zig-zag away from a predator into the safety of a burrow or a dense thicket.
- Camouflage – Rabbits tend to blend in with their surroundings and seek coverage under bushes and in tall grasses. As winter approaches, some rabbits molt their darker summer coat and grow in a new whiter and thicker winter coat. As summer approaches, some rabbits molt their white winter coat and grow in a darker and lighter weight summer coat.
- Crepuscular – Rabbits are crepuscular, not nocturnal, meaning that they are most active in periods of low light (think morning twilight and then evening twilight) when it is hardest for their predators to see.
- Ears and Nose – these specialized organs allow rabbits to pick up on approaching predators and warn others as they dart away themselves.
- Underground Burrows – Many, but not all, wild rabbits rely on the safety of underground burrows as homes and effective hiding places from large predators.
- Sharp Claws and Strong Legs – Although not known to be great fighters, Rabbits will be quick to scratch and kick if in a dangerous situation and, if the blow lands in the right spot, it can cause the predator to drop the rabbit.
- Teeth – Rabbits’ teeth never stop growing throughout their whole life! The two long teeth in front can clamp down on an attacking predator and may cause the predator to drop the rabbit.
Unfortunately, these defense mechanisms do not often amount to a life-saving result against large and strong predators. And even less-so in the case of domestic rabbits who are not used to defending themselves!
Top Rabbit Predators: What Kills Rabbits At Night
Many rabbit predators hunt under cover of darkness. Knowing the predators that target your bunnies at night is key to protecting your domestic rabbits.
Raccoon
Raccoons are intelligent omnivores that are well known for exploring backyards at night. While they do not sport the natural talents needed to chase down a fleeing rabbit, they often find a way to surprise, trick, or trap it. In these instances, a raccoon can overpower and kill a rabbit. This is why it is important to secure the hutches or houses of your rabbits and store animal foods and garbage away from your rabbits.
Owl
Although baby rabbits are small, many owls enjoy them as a snack or as part of a meal. In fact, baby rabbits are most at risk for being killed and eaten by owls as both large and medium sized owls can effectively hunt them. To learn more about these efficient small mammal hunters, read our post on owl rabbit predators.
Bear
Bears are natural omnivores and opportunistic hunters, which means their diet varies from sweet berries to carrion and small mammals. And while more than 50% of a bear’s diet consists of non-animal proteins, bears hunt and kill rabbits.
Wolf
Carnivorous wolves are lethal rabbit predators. These large mammals can easily hunt and catch rabbits thanks to their incredible sense of smell and speed. Wolves are more likely to nose around your house or barn under cover of darkness, so depending on where you live you may need to take these predators into consideration when housing your rabbits.
Fox
Foxes eat rabbits quite often, and these natural predators eat all parts of the rabbit after killing it. Foxes also frequent urban, suburban, and country habitats. So whether you have a homestead or are raising your pet rabbit in the suburbs, your bunnies are at risk!
Coyote
Coyotes are predators in the same family as domesticated dogs. They are opportunistic omnivores and are known for hunting and eating rabbits. Unfortunately, wild rabbits almost always live in the same habitat as coyotes, so these predators may mistake your domestic rabbit as an easy meal. Coyotes eat the whole rabbit, digesting bones, fur and meat.
Badgers
Badgers are known to eat small animals such as rabbits. However, these omnivorous animals do not prefer rabbits and only eat them as an opportunistic meal. In fact, defenseless baby rabbits are at most risk of being preyed on by nocturnal badgers. Check out our post on badger predators to learn more about when to be worried about these hunters.
Top Rabbit Predators: What Kills Rabbits During the Day
While night is a dangerous time for your rabbits to be out or exposed, there are some predators that will strike in broad daylight!
Snake
These reptiles must swallow their prey whole, which limits the size of rabbit they eat. However, snakes will eat baby or immature rabbits. To hear about our own experience with snakes preying on our rabbits, read our post on snakes eating rabbits.
Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are a primary day-time predator of rabbits. Both eagles and large hawks are superb hunters of small rodents and mammals and will swoop down to prey on your rabbits without hesitation. Note that smaller birds of prey will NOT hunt rabbits as they are two big for them to fly away with.
Rats
Rats may seem like a surprising rabbit predator, but these small rodents are quite vicious. Rats are first attracted to your rabbit’s living space by unclean bedding, feces, and leftover food. Hungry rats eat baby bunnies and may pester or bite small adult rabbits as well. This is why we are huge proponents of clean and tidy rabbit care and proper feeding and food storage practices, as we comment on below.
Cats
Cats are natural hunters and pose a serious threat to your bunnies. Interestingly, cats are known to hunt and kill rabbits for sport as well as survival! This means that sometimes a cat will kill a rabbit but will not eat the dead bunny. Your rabbits should be guarded against house, feral, and barn cats. Learn more about cats’ hunting nature in our post Do Cats Eat Rabbits.
Groundhogs
Groundhogs are omnivores and have been known to attack and eat rabbits. Now these predators are not at the top of the rabbit predator list, but a groundhog will eat newborn rabbits. If your domestic rabbit has a sturdy and strong hutch or house, your doe and her newborn rabbits are most likely safe from these uncommon and opportunistic predators.
Rabbit Predators: City vs. Country
Many of the predators mentioned above live in both city and country settings which is why it is crucial to be aware of rabbit predators no matter where you live.
A fox, rat or raccoon can easily prey on an outdoor rabbit in the city, just as a hawk, eagle, or bear may hunt your bunny in a country setting.
To be sure, we always suggest looking up what common predators are native to your area! There may be one that you hadn’t realized could be a threat to your bunnies.
What Eats Baby Rabbits
Due to their small size and defenseless situation, baby rabbits are at higher risk of being eaten by a predator.
All known rabbit predators eat baby bunnies. And some (such as badgers) only eat small baby rabbits.
Newborn rabbits, which are blind and hairless, are at exceptionally high risk because their primary defense is a nest that is well hidden or protected, such as in a bunny burrow.
Additionally, mother rabbit can get vicious when protecting her babies, but rabbit predators more often than not can harm or chase mom away and then feast on the babies.
How To Protect Rabbits From Predators
Proper Housing For Rabbits
The best way to protect rabbits from predators is by first ensuring your rabbits have well built hutches or houses.
This may look like a solid bottom and some solid walls for a portion of the rabbit’s hutch, or strong wiring that is fixed well to a sturdy wooden or metal edging.
We also recommend a hiding box. This wooden box, placed inside our rabbits living space, allows it a refuge from a local predator that finds the hutch and decides to linger.
A lingering predator will stress your rabbits, but if they can hide in a sheltered part of their hutch they will feel more secure and less stressed. Not being able to see the rabbit will also deter a number of predators from staying around.
Finally, be sure to patch up any tears in the hutch or house wiring immediately. If you patch gaps as soon as you notice them, your rabbit will be much safer!
Housing Rabbits Above the Ground
It is also important that your rabbit is housed above the ground.
Choosing a hutch or house that is on thin but sturdy legs , about two-feet off the ground, will prevent any climbing predators from getting close.
Now you can also opt for pre-made hutches that have a lower and upper half, as long as the part that touches the ground is of sturdy wood or metal and has a double layer of good wiring.
One of my personal favorites are the hutches that open from the roof because they have no side or bottom access. I always add two secure locks as well, making it very difficult for any predator to hamper with.
Finally, a well built Rabbit Tractor is also safe for your rabbits. These mobile rabbit houses are built to protect your bunnies from predators while affording your rabbits access to fresh grass and some space to move around.
Proper Rabbit Cleanliness
Another important part of protecting your domestic rabbits from predators is maintaining overall cleanliness.
Smelly and dirty animals and/or living spaces quickly attract predators with a strong sense of smell.
We highly suggest that you follow the good habit of cleaning all general areas your rabbit inhabits at least once a week and changing out any hay or other bedding.
This will greatly reduce the chances of attracting unwanted predators; not to mention other dangerous pests such as rabbit mites.
In addition, groom your rabbits well so that no extra hair is left around, as excess rabbit hair can attract cats, foxes, and wolves.
Proper Rabbit Food Storage
It is of utmost importance when guarding against rabbit predators to keep any general garbage and animal food, including rabbit pellets, in a sealed and locked container and out of the general area of your rabbit’s hutch or house.
If any hungry or curious predators come around they will be less likely to stay if they cannot easily access the garbage or animal foods!
Well stored rabbit food will NOT attract predators and will not spoil due to dampness or bad weather. For best practices on storing rabbit pellets, please read How To Store Rabbit Pellets.
Safe Outdoor Time for Rabbits
We are huge proponents of allowing your pet and homestead rabbits free-time outdoors.
This daily practice can greatly benefit your rabbits health and happiness while allowing them to be curious, active, and enjoy a few tasty grasses!
However, there are a few best guidelines to follow given that bunnies are prey animals:
- Do NOT let your rabbit loose in unfamiliar spaces – be very familiar with the areas where you take your rabbit outside to avoid surprise predator attacks.
- Ensure there is always at least one person with your rabbit as they roam outdoors – this will deter any curious predators from approaching or taking advantage of a lonely rabbit.
- Never allow your rabbits to stay outside during the night – this is when many predators start to hunt and is a very dangerous time for your rabbit to be unprotected.
- Keep young or immature rabbits close – young rabbits are easy prey for almost all rabbit predators, don’t make the mistake of letting them out of your sight!
Indoor Housing For Rabbits
If you are very concerned about protecting your pet or homestead rabbits, especially if you live in an area heavily populated by some of the larger rabbit predators, the most effective thing to do is house your rabbits inside.
This can mean placing your rabbits’ hutch or house in a well sealed shed, barn, garage, or even in your own house. All of these are viable options!
With indoor rabbit housing it is key to maintain good animal and living space hygiene as it can be easier to collect soiled matter, hair, and food bits in indoor areas.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To What Eats A Rabbit
What Eat Baby Rabbit?
Just about any opportunistic predator looking for an easy meal will hunt and eat baby rabbits as they are especially vulnerable and essentially defenseless.
What Eats A Bunny In A Food Chain?
As small prey animals there is a whole collection of animals, including foxes, birds of prey, raccoons, cats, and coyotes, that eat rabbits in the natural food chain.
This video showcases What Eats Rabbits, listing the top 20 rabbit predators!
Final Thoughts on What Eats A Rabbit
It is a hard but sure truth: rabbits are one of the most preyed upon small mammals.
Their known predators include common hunters such as cats, house and farm pests such as rats and raccoons, and large meat-eaters like bears and wolves.
As an attentive rabbit owner, educating yourself on the most common day and night-time rabbit predators and following the best practices of rabbit housing, rabbit food storage, and attentive outdoor monitoring will help you protect your bunnies from the smallest and largest of natural predators.