Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

True or False: Mother cottontail rabbits remain on their nests with their young most of the day.

1. True

2. False

3. Partially True

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: False

Mother cottontail rabbits exhibit specific behaviors regarding their nesting habits, especially with their young. It is true that these mothers do not spend most of the day with their kits. Instead, they leave their nests after a short period of nursing, typically only staying about 15 minutes, and then they return only a couple of times a day to nurse. This behavior is largely a survival strategy to avoid attracting predators to the nest. By limiting their presence at the nest, mother cottontails reduce the likelihood of predation on themselves and their young. Consequently, they rely on their instinct to find a safe, concealed spot for nesting and to provide nourishment to their offspring without remaining excessively close. Understanding this behavior helps in providing appropriate care and understanding the needs of these animals in rehabilitation, emphasizing the need for solitude during certain critical developmental stages.