by The rabbit is a rather timid animal, and also distinguished by its agility and playfulness, so catching such an animal is not an easy task. However, using human dexterity and simple devices, it is quite possible to do this. The main thing is to use intelligence, not physical strength, so as not to harm the animal.
Let’s take a closer look at how to catch a rabbit.
Catching such a nimble creature as a rabbit is quite difficult. But sometimes, such an escape can be predicted and stopped in time.
The anxiety state of rabbits is usually quite pronounced and is accompanied by behavioral changes:
If the rabbit ran away in the absence of the owner, everything is a little more complicated. It is necessary to quietly and carefully check all the secluded places, and if the animal is not found there, you will have to put a cage with the favorite treat of the escaped animal and watch when the hungry furry fugitive returns to it.
Important! In order to find a lost fugitive easier, it is necessary to teach your pets to respond to calls and names from childhood.
How to catch a rabbit in a vegetable garden or in a garden?
Catching rabbits at home is not an easy task. And in the garden, this mission becomes many times more difficult, since in the open area the animal has many more places to hide.
So, if a rabbit escapes from a garden or vegetable garden, you must strictly follow the following steps:
- assess the situation carefully: the rabbit will choose the most secluded place for shelter, for example, bushes;
- near a possible shelter, it is necessary to find traces (he could not help but leave them) and set up an automatic trap with a large amount of treats in the largest area of the “paws” accumulation;
- lure the animal into the trap using bait, which must be scattered as a path leading directly to the place of capture.
Sitting at the place of capture is absolutely pointless: the animal will not come there even under the threat of hunger, while it is being watched. It is necessary to check the cage in 2-3 hours, usually during this time the fugitive runs to have a snack.
If the cage is empty, you need to come back after some time. You need to approach the place of catching as quietly as possible and without unnecessary movements so as not to frighten the fugitive.
How to catch a wild rabbit?
Catching a wild rabbit with your own hands is a virtually impossible task. Wild animals prefer to stay away from humans, so even getting close to the long-eared animal will be extremely difficult.
The following types of traps are used to catch non-domesticated animals:
- snares;
- “wolf pits”;
- cells;
- cardboard box.
With the help of a snare
To catch with snares, you need to choose the most suitable place. First, you need to find a rabbit trail (a road that rabbits often cross).
Next, you need to find an arched thick branch (a slingshot) on this path, or if there is no such obstacle, install it yourself right in the middle of the path. The arch should be quite massive, since wild rabbits have quite a lot of strength.
After completing the above steps, you must:
- After installing the trap itself, it is necessary to close the animal’s passage on the sides with small twigs or leafy branches.
- Next, a regular loop is wound around the snag. made of wire or thick fabric (when the rabbit jumps over the “slingshot”, its paw will get stuck in this loop and it will not have the strength to run further, since the paw will be held by the arched branch).
Using wolf pits
Step by step instructions, click to enlarge:
The wolf pit is also an effective device for catching wild animals.
To arrange it correctly, it is necessary:
- Find a rabbit trail and dig a large hole in the middle of this “road” (approximately 0,7 m in diameter and one meter deep).
- On top, it is necessary to lay out a not very dense mesh of elastic branches (crosswise).
- Next, you need to tightly cover the resulting mesh with leaves so that the hole is not visible.
- You can sprinkle some soil on top.
- In the middle of the resulting covered structure, you need to place a treat.
Using cells
Step-by-step instruction:
Cages for catching wild rabbits are assembled in such a way that it stands at a slight angle on the door, and when the animal enters for bait, the door bends under its weight and slams shut.
All the “hunter” needs to do is install such a device on the rabbit trail and wait until the hungry lazy one climbs inside the cage for a carrot or other treat. This type of trap is considered the most humane, since with this type of capture the animal’s fear is reduced to a minimum.
Important! You should check the cage no more than once a day. The animal will have enough food and air to wait until it is found and released in another place.
Using cardboard boxes
Not very reliable, but the easiest way. The trap is made by hand:
- You will need a cardboard box 1 m wide with a missing bottom.
- A not very heavy stick, 120 cm long, is tied to a nearby stump.
- Two holes are cut in the box. A string is passed through them, the ends of which are tied together.
- The middle of the stick that holds the box is tied with a piece of thread 5 cm long, fastening it with a cord. The box should be suspended at a height of 1 m.
- Two holes are cut in the top of the box. A rope is passed through them, one end of which is tied to the middle part, creating a loop. The other end hangs down 10 cm.
- A carrot is tied to the hanging edge. The rabbit, jumping up in an attempt to grab the treat, will pull the cardboard box down with its own efforts, the thread will break, and the rodent will find itself in a trap.
Recommendations for catching rabbits
In order to successfully catch an animal without causing harm to its fragile nervous system, it is necessary to follow the following useful tips:
- Approach When approaching a found or caught pet, you must do so very quietly, without making any sudden movements.
- When laying out baits, it is not advisable to touch them with bare hands, since animals have an excellent sense of smell.
- Need to visit more often and count your pets, as well as provide them with care that they won’t want to run away from.
- If you couldn’t catch the animal yourself, there are special services that have the necessary tools and will help find the fugitive.
So, given that rabbits are very agile and cunning, catching such an animal is not an easy task. However, using human dexterity and simple devices, it is quite possible to do this. The main thing is to use your mind, not physical strength, so as not to harm the animal.
How to distinguish a domestic rabbit from a wild one?
- Hanging ears. Not all domestic rabbits have floppy ears, but all rabbits with floppy ears are domestic. Floppy ears on rabbits hang down (like a basset hound’s) rather than sticking up.
- Weight of the rabbit. Wild rabbits are usually smaller than domestic rabbits. Wild rabbits weigh approximately 0,9-1,8 kg. If you see that the rabbit is clearly larger, then it is most likely domestic.
- Coloring of the rabbit. All wild rabbits are agouti colored. That is, they are mottled in gray, brown, and gold. Domestic rabbits sometimes have similar coloring, but their bellies are usually lighter.
- Signs of social behavior. Wild rabbits will be afraid of you and will run away when you spot them. Domestic rabbits are much better socialized. They may even come to you and seek your attention.
- Head shape. Domestic rabbits have a more convex forehead. Whereas the head of a wild rabbit is more triangular in shape. Wild rabbits also have thinner ears that are almost translucent at the tips.
