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Old May 16, 2012, 10:21 PM
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MoonOwl MoonOwl is offline
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I know this is the pet thread but I'm hoping someone might know something about wild rabbits. Like can they get rabies and if they do what are the signs to look for. A web search has only been able to tell me that they rarely get rabies.

Where I live is very wooded and we have rabbits around. During the day I might catch a glimpse of them near the woods but once they spot me they run. At night they will usually come closer to the house to nibble on the grass but if someone comes outside they take off for the woods.

For the past week I have seen a rabbit outside at night that shows no fear when I walk out onto the deck. I mentioned this to my SO and today he told me that he walked out into the backyard and by the picnic table was a rabbit that didn't run away even when he got within a foot of it. It just sat there. He wondered if it was deaf. Tonight I walked out onto our front deck and there was a rabbit in the yard, I went back in the house and got a flashlight and shined it on the rabbit. I thought that would scare it away. Oh no it hopped closer to me, almost to the edge of the deck where I was standing (I was about 4 ft above it). So I stomped my foot down on the deck and all it did was stop for a moment, twitch its ears and then go back to nibbling on the grass. So I know it isn't deaf. My SO other also said that he saw our neighbors cat chasing a rabbit that would run just enough to stay away from the cat but then it would stop. Like it was playing chase.

Any one have any ideas or comments on this strange behavior?? This rabbit is beginning to freak me out.
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  #2  
Old May 17, 2012, 02:36 AM
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TerryL TerryL is offline
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Like you researched, I don't think wild rabbits get rabies often. Plus from what you described, its behavior seems very calm. I think you are safe. As for bunny being unafraid of you, maybe it was someone's pet before? or maybe it was born that way? Lucky you
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  #3  
Old May 22, 2012, 06:14 PM
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lizardlady lizardlady is offline
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Moonowl, I was talking to my small animal vet about rabies last week because we are having an outbreak in our area. He told me that animals get rabies from being bitten by an infected animal. He said that small animals like squirrels or rabbits are more likely to die of an infection from the bite than to develop rabies.

My guess is that the rabbit you're seeing was either someone's pet previously or it's become tamed by someone. The fact it didn't run off when you shone a flashlight on it doesn't surprise me. Some unscrupulous "hunter" use lights to stun animals so they can shoot the. It's called jacklighting.

Hunters in the crowd please don't blast me about this. You'll notice I put hunters in quotes. While I don't hunt myself I recognize the skill involved in true hunting. People who use a light to cause an animal to freeze so they can blow it away are not real hunters.
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lynn P., Rohag
  #4  
Old May 25, 2012, 05:10 PM
Anonymous33145
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Speaking of which, my friend is going away for the holiday weekend and I am "bunny sitting!" awww.
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lynn P., Rohag
  #5  
Old May 25, 2012, 05:58 PM
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Rohag Rohag is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lizardlady View Post
He said that small animals like squirrels or rabbits are more likely to die of an infection from the bite than to develop rabies.
Thanks everyone for this thread and information!
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  #6  
Old May 27, 2012, 12:17 PM
Anonymous33145
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rose Panachée View Post
Speaking of which, my friend is going away for the holiday weekend and I am "bunny sitting!" awww.
Oh for gosh sake, I am allergic to bunny. I've still been giving him lots of attention, lovies, time, treats, etc. But then I have to take a Benadryl and slather cortisone all over my hands. hah figures! I feel so bad for the poor thing (although I know he doesn't know)

(also crazy kitty loves when I get home. He smells me like I am a the most delicious thing EVER)
Hugs from:
lynn P.
  #7  
Old May 27, 2012, 01:57 PM
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lynn P. lynn P. is offline
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Yes I agree with the others and doubt the rabbit has rabies. It most likely was someone's pet and that's why its not scared. I live in an area that has lots of mature trees etc and there's all kinds of wild bunnies. My youngest loves to get as close as she can and its cute the way she chases them all over. They can be a little annoying in the garden with eating new flower and vegetable plants but there's way to work around it. Try not to worry about the bunny.
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