A wild rabbit has moved into my garden… WWYD?

[ReeseWitherfork]

About a month ago a wild rabbit moved into my garden. She’s a happy little thing, comes out in the mornings and evenings as soon as the kids have come inside. Hides behind the shed during the day. The RSPCA website said to leave alone. My vet friend said there was no harm putting the odd lettuce leaf down. Now the weather is super hot, and there are thunderstorms on the horizon, does anyone have any insight into things I should be doing? I’m torn between wanting to leave her to it with having some compassion for a lost rabbit and helping her out with some water. I’ve grown quite attached! There was a fox sat on the lawn the other day and my husband even started panicking about her.

We have a regular rabbit visitor. Or maybe it’s several, they all look the same.

We don’t do anything to encourage it, but I love seeing it hopping about. Our next door neighbour regularly shoots his air rifle into the air to scare it off. (They have a very posh garden and don’t want rabbits nibbling anything).

Argyll 😍

I’m so jealous. Hares are my favourites.

🤣

Argyll is so cute.

<misses point of thread>

We’ve got lots of wild rabbits in the garden. Just leave them.

Argyll has genuinely made my day 🤩

Though I'm a bit resentful I never got to find a litter of leverets ☹️

A tiny wild rabbit moved into our garden 3 summers ago, it stayed a few months and stopped coming over towards the end of summer. It ate all our clover, then the clover in neighbouring gardens.

We let it be, I just made sure to chase away cats, as they were really interested in it.

This is the best thread I've ever read.

Oh Argyll you little cutie ❤️

I’m now wondering if it’s in fact a hare that’s moved in, or whether a hare and rabbit are even different…

@7Worfs the dog takes care of the cats luckily. And the squirrels and seagulls. He doesn’t seem bothered by the rabbit, and seems smart enough to leave the fox visitors well alone.

Am so envious.

My childhood home backed onto a golf course which was populated by dozens and dozens of wild rabbits. It was usual to wake up each morning and find loads of them playing in our garden. The babies were particularly crazy, chasing each other around and jumping over each other.

As someone who wasn't allowed a pet and had always wanted a rabbit, this was a happy medium for me.

Enjoy OP!

Oh my word Argyll. What a cutie!!

The cutest thread ever !!

Awww absolutely gorgeous 🥰

I’m now wondering if it’s in fact a hare that’s moved in, or whether a hare and rabbit are even different…

Ermm, yes. Entirely different species. And sadly hares are close to extinction in many parts of Europe due to the changes in their habitat.

😂😂😂😂 love a rabbit stew.

It's unlikely to be eaten; also there are probably other rabbits in your garden. I have a wildlife camera in my garden so I know that although I personally see young rabbits sometimes and no adults, the adults are there but have the good sense only to go out when I am not about. Also while I have filmed lots of species in the garden it's only ever one at a time- they seem to avoid each other.
No need to take steps to look after this rabbit. Nature isn't stupid, they get plenty of water through diet and if it is too hot will only go out at night.

😂😂😂😂

From the photo, it’s definitely a wild rabbit—their faces/eyes are a different shape to domesticated rabbits. Is she still hanging about? You can always provide water…

My PIL once had a doe come and make a nest in their garden - raised her babies and then rejoined the others. Very cute.

I love Argyll. I love him. More pictures, please. All of the pictures you have, actually, please.

This is the most soothing thread. And yes, more pictures of rabbits and hares.

I will pay money to live stream Argyll-cam 🐇 I've always wanted a Leverett.

We have someone near us who keeps rabbits and leaves one to roam free. Beautiful black fur. There are often FB posts with pics of it quite happily living it's best life in various favourite spots around the area.

Sadly it seems to rile an awful lot of busybodies who feel they need to "do something". Despite being told by the owner, the FB group and the RSPCA to keep their noses out.

Apparently it goes in at night of it's own accord.

This would be the best thing ever. I’d put water out in a bowl (we have a dog and always have water out in the summer anyway).

We've had four wild rabbits in our garden for a few months now. I love watching them go about their business!