Do Wolves Eat Bunnies
Protecting homestead and pet rabbits from potential predators is important to many rabbit owners, and for good reason: rabbits are natural prey animals.
Many predators enjoy them as a snack or full meal, including wolves.
That is right, wolves eat bunnies!
When a wolf kills a rabbit for food the wolf is acting as a natural predator. These large mammals are carnivores and hunt large and small animals.
What Do Wolves Eat
Besides rabbits, carnivorous wolves enjoy a diverse diet of (usually) large game that is very similar to another large rabbit predator the bear:
- Bison
- Moose
- Deer
- Elk
And wolves also often take advantage of smaller mammals as easy pickings, especially when big game isn’t plentiful, such as rabbits and rodents.
Speaking of rodents, would you believe it: rodents such as rats may even prey on your rabbit! To learn more check out our post on Do Rats Eat Bunnies?
What Type of Rabbits Do Wolves Eat?
Rabbits are a natural prey of wolves because they almost always live in the same habitat.
For example, in the continent where we have our hobby farm, you can find both wolves and rabbits from mountainous forests to desert regions and tundra.
As such, wolves usually come across wild rabbits or hares often and hunt them without discretion.
Note: Rabbits and hares are from two different species from the same genus Lepus. Hares exhibited less social habits, longer ears, and generally larger size than rabbits. Rabbits are the more social and smaller domesticated side of the Lepus genus.
Do Wolves Eat Bunnies and Baby Rabbits
Wolves do eat small bunnies and baby rabbits. However, in order to eat them a wolf must first encounter a rabbit nest and attack the babies inside.
As it is not wolves nature to hunt in this manner, they prefer large animals and hunting as a pack, it is safe to say that baby rabbits are not a primary prey of wolves.
How to Protect Rabbits from Wolves
If you live in an area where wolves roam, then the best way to protect your rabbits is by housing them inside. This can mean inside your house or inside a well-sealed shed or garage.
We suggest indoor housing because we believe it is the most effective way to protect your bunnies. Wolves, unlike other smaller rabbit predators, may force their way into (or destroy) your rabbit’s outdoor house or hutch with ease.
That said, there is usually enough game to keep a wolf occupied during warmer months. It is during cold winters where they may get desperate and start nosing around any outdoor rabbit hutches and other farm or pet animal spaces.
As such, while we are big proponents of allowing your rabbit time outdoors to eat grass and exercise we caution that all your bunnies should be indoors before night falls!
Especially during colder months as this is when curious or hungry wolves will be bolder in approaching farmsteads and households.
Protecting Outdoor Rabbits from Predators
One of the most effective ways to protect and guard outdoor rabbits from predators, such as wolves, is by installing a strong fence around their living area and hutches.
This fence should be 6-8ft high and made of strong, uneasily broken material such as metal wiring or metal fencing.
And if you prefer, a line or two of electric wire can help fortify this outdoor rabbit area from any predators.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Do Wolves Eat Rabbits
How Easy Is It For A Wolf to Catch A Rabbit?
Wolves are agile and fast, and can exhibit an impressive amount of stamina. Unfortunately, while rabbits can run fast they cannot match the stamina of wolf predators and can usually be caught after a good chase.
How Do Rabbits Defend Themselves?
Rabbits have sharp claws and if threatened can scratch, kick and bite. They also revert to running as a first defense, opting to hide in their underground burrow in safety from predators. Although against a large predator such as wolves, these defense mechanisms often aren’t enough.
This video is an example of how wolves can stay right behind, and eventually catch, a fleeing rabbit!
Final Thoughts on Do Wolves Eat Bunnies
While wolves usually hunt much larger game than rabbits, your bunnies may be an opportune meal for a hungry wolf.
Remember that the best way to secure your pet or homestead rabbits from wolves, if you live in a wolf populated area, is by securing them in an indoor space or a well protected outdoor hutch.