What Eats Rabbits? Top 10 Predators You Should Know

Introduction

Did you know rabbits have over 20 predators in the wild?
These soft, fluffy animals may look cute, but many hunters see them as food!

Whether you have a pet bunny or just love animals, it’s smart to learn about these threats.

Why should you care about what eats rabbits?

• If you own a rabbit, this info helps you keep it safe.
• If you love nature, it helps you understand how wild animals survive.
• If rabbits are pests in your garden, knowing their predators might help with natural control.

In this post, we’ll explore the top 10 animals that hunt and eat rabbits. We’ll also share tips on how to keep rabbits safe from these hunters.

Ready to discover the world of rabbit predators? Let’s hop to it!

Key Takeaways

• Rabbits face threats from predators in the air, on land, and even underground
• Foxes, coyotes, and hawks are the main hunters of wild rabbits
• Pet rabbits need strong cages with locks to stay safe
• Each predator leaves different clues when they hunt rabbits
• You can protect rabbits with special fencing, lights, and other tools

Top 10 Predators of Rabbits

1. Foxes

Foxes are smart hunters that love to catch and eat rabbits. They hunt mostly at night when rabbits are active but can’t see as well.

They can hunt any rabbit, whether pet or wild, from the smallest to the largest breeds.

How They Hunt

Foxes are sneaky hunters. They use these methods to catch rabbits:

• Stalking: They creep up slowly, staying low to the ground
• Pouncing: They jump quickly when close enough
• Digging: They can dig into rabbit burrows to catch babies
• Listening: Foxes can hear rabbits moving under snow or leaves

Signs of Fox Attacks

How can you tell if a fox ate a rabbit? Look for these clues:

• Small, dog-like paw prints around the area
• Tufts of rabbit fur scattered on the ground
• Clean bite marks on any remains
• Fox poop nearby that contains rabbit fur

Will a fox eat a rabbit? Yes! Rabbits are one of a fox’s favorite foods. A hungry fox can eat a whole rabbit in one go.

2. Coyotes

Coyotes are bigger than foxes. They hunt rabbits in cities and the wild. They’re smart and can adapt to many places where rabbits live.

Coyotes get 90% of their diet from meat, and some of that comes from hunting rabbits.

How They Hunt

Coyotes have two main ways of hunting rabbits:

• Solo hunting: One coyote will stalk and chase a rabbit
• Pack hunting: A group will work together to trap rabbits

Coyotes are fast! They can run up to 40 miles per hour. That’s faster than a bike ride.

Where Do Coyotes Hunt?

Do coyotes eat rabbits? Yes! Rabbits are about 30% of their diet. Coyotes hunt in:

• Fields and meadows
• Forest edges
• Parks and suburbs
• Farmland

Hear coyotes howling at night? Rabbits nearby are likely hiding!

3. Birds of Prey (Hawks, Eagles, Owls)

These birds hunt from the sky and are a big danger to rabbits.
They have sharp eyes and can spot a bunny from far away!

How They Hunt

Birds of prey use the element of surprise:

• Hawks and eagles swoop down quickly from the sky
• Owls hunt silently at night when rabbits can’t see well
• They use sharp talons (claws) to grab rabbits
• Most can carry small rabbits (Netherland-dwarf) away in flight

Most Common Bird Predators

What eats rabbits in a food chain? Top predator Bird List:

• Red-tailed Hawks: Common in most of North America
• Great Horned Owls: Hunt rabbits at night
• Golden Eagles: Can take down even large rabbits
• Cooper’s Hawks: Quick hunters in forests and suburbs

Baby rabbits and smaller breeds are in the most danger from these birds. A large hawk can spot a rabbit from up to a mile away!

4. Domestic & Feral Cats

Both pet cats and wild cats hunt rabbits. Even well-fed house cats will chase rabbits by instinct.

The Hunting Instinct

Do cats eat bunnies? Yes, especially:

• Baby rabbits (kittens)
• Small rabbit breeds
• Injured or sick rabbits

Cats are natural hunters. They have these skills:

• Silent stalking
• Quick pounces
• Sharp claws for catching
• Good night vision

Danger to Pet Rabbits

House cats can be dangerous to pet rabbits. Never leave them alone together, even if your cat seems friendly. A rabbit’s quick movements can trigger a cat’s hunting instinct in seconds.

Feral cats (wild cats) are even more likely to hunt rabbits for food. They depend on hunting to survive.

5. Dogs

Dogs have a strong instinct to chase and catch rabbits. Some were even bred specifically to hunt them!

Breeds Most Likely to Hunt Rabbits

These dog types are most likely to chase rabbits:

• Terriers: Jack Russell, Fox Terrier
• Hounds: Beagles, Basset Hounds
• Hunting dogs: Labradors, Pointers
• Herding dogs: Border Collies, Australian Shepherds

Pet Dog Behavior

Do Dogs Eat Rabbits? Some dogs will eat rabbits, but not all. Many dogs chase rabbits just for fun. Sadly, the chase can still hurt or kill the rabbit.

If you have both dogs and pet rabbits, always keep them apart for safety. Even friendly dogs can hurt rabbits by playing too rough.

6. Bobcats & Lynxes

These wild cats are expert rabbit hunters. Bobcats and lynxes have spotted fur that helps them hide while hunting.

How They Hunt

These cats are masters of the surprise attack:

• They hide in tall grass or behind trees
• They can wait motionless for hours
• They pounce with amazing speed
• These wild cats can jump up to 10 feet in one leap!

Bobcats and lynxes hunt mostly at dawn and dusk—just when rabbits come out to eat.

These wild cats aren’t like house cats. They must hunt to live. When food is easy to find, a bobcat may eat one rabbit each day.

7. Snakes

Some snakes eat rabbits—especially baby bunnies. Bigger snakes can even eat adult rabbits!

Types of Snakes That Eat Rabbits

Two main types of snakes hunt rabbits:

• Venomous snakes:
  • Rattlesnakes
  • Copperheads
  These use venom to kill their prey
• Constrictors:
  • Pythons
  • Boa constrictors
  These squeeze rabbits until they can’t breathe

Snakes can follow the scent of rabbits. They flick their tongues to “smell” where rabbits have been.

Baby rabbits in nests are most at risk from snakes. The snakes can slither into the nest and eat the babies while the mother is away.

8. Weasels & Badgers

Weasels and badgers are small but fierce hunters. They can follow rabbits right into their burrows!

Underground Hunters

These animals are built to hunt in tight spaces:

• Long, skinny bodies (weasels)
• Strong digging claws (badgers)
• Great sense of smell
• Fast speed in tunnels

Danger to Rabbit Nests

Weasels are small enough to fit in rabbit holes. They can kill a whole nest of baby rabbits in one visit.

Badgers are bigger and stronger. They can dig up rabbit burrows from the outside, then catch the rabbits as they try to escape.

Both animals come out at night. This makes it hard for rabbits to see them coming.

9. Raccoons

Raccoons don’t usually hunt rabbits, but they will eat one if they get the chance. They’re opportunistic eaters.

When Raccoons Attack

Raccoons might eat rabbits when:

• They find baby rabbits in a nest
• They come across a sick or injured rabbit
• They’re very hungry and other food is scarce

Raccoons have clever paws that can open many locks and latches. This makes them dangerous to pet rabbits in outdoor hutches.

What eats a raccoon? Coyotes, bears, and large owls eat raccoons. Raccoons are both predators and prey in the food chain!

10. Possums

Do possums eat rabbits? The answer might surprise you!

Myth vs. Reality

Many people think possums are big rabbit predators, but this isn’t totally true. Possums are:

• Mostly scavengers (they eat dead things)
• Slow movers (hard to catch fast rabbits)
• Omnivores (they eat plants, bugs, and meat)

Possums will eat baby rabbits if they find them in a nest. Possums rarely catch adult rabbits unless the rabbit is sick or hurt.
However, they do eat ticks and bugs that can make rabbits sick. So in a way, possums help keep rabbit groups healthy!

Protect Rabbits from Predators

Whether you own pet rabbits or care about wild bunnies, there are simple ways to keep them safe from hungry predators.

Securing Outdoor Hutches

If you keep pet rabbits outside, make sure their home is super safe:

Strong Materials

Use these to build predator-proof homes:

• Hardware cloth (small wire mesh) – NOT chicken wire
• Solid wood for parts of the hutch
• Metal locks that raccoons can’t open
• Floors raised at least 2 feet off the ground

Smart Design Features

• Double-door entry systems
• Locks that need thumbs to open
• No gaps bigger than 1/2 inch anywhere
• Solid floors to prevent digging in

Check your rabbit’s hutch every week for weak spots or holes. Even small damage can let predators in.

Deterring Aerial Predators

Birds of prey hunt from above. Here’s how to keep them away:

• Cover runs with wire mesh or clear roofing
• Hang shiny objects that move in the wind
• Use fake owl decoys (move them often so birds don’t get used to them)
• Provide hiding spots like tunnels and boxes

For wild rabbits, dense bushes give protection from birds. Rabbits know to run to these safe spots when hawks fly overhead.

Land Predator Deterrents

Keep ground hunters away with these tricks:

Fencing Tips

• Bury fence at least 1 foot underground to stop diggers
• Make fences at least 4 feet tall to stop jumpers
• Use an outward-facing top to prevent climbing
• Check for holes or weak spots often

Light and Sound

• Motion-sensor lights scare away night hunters
• Wind chimes and radios can keep predators nervous
• Sprinklers with motion sensors spray unwanted visitors

Natural Repellents

Some smells can keep predators away:

• Fox or coyote urine (predators avoid other predators’ territories)
• Strong spices like cayenne pepper
• Plants like lavender and marigold

Remember to refresh these smells after rain!

Identifying the Culprit

If a rabbit goes missing or gets hurt, you can figure out what did it:

Bite Mark Clues

• Fox bites: Clean, small punctures
• Dog bites: Larger, more torn wounds
• Hawk attacks: Talon marks, missing sections
• Coyote attacks: Similar to dogs but often take the whole rabbit

Track Identification

Look for these tracks around your yard:

• Fox prints: Diamond-shaped, smaller than a dog’s
• Coyote prints: Similar to dog but more oval
• Raccoon prints: Look like tiny human handprints
• Bird tracks: Rare, but look for wing marks in dirt or snow

What killed the rabbit in my yard? These clues can help you find out. Once you know which animal is causing trouble, you can choose the best way to keep it away.

Protecting Wild Rabbits

If you want to help wild rabbits in your area:

• Leave brush piles for hiding spots
• Don’t remove all undergrowth in wooded areas
• Plant dense, thorny shrubs that offer protection
• Keep cats indoors, especially at dawn and dusk
• Avoid using poisons for pest control (they can kill predators too)

Wild rabbits need safe places to hide. A yard with only short grass is dangerous for them.

Conclusion-Keep Your Rabbits Safe

Now you know what eats rabbits and how they hunt. Foxes, hawks, coyotes, and others all see rabbits as food.

Wild rabbits are always on the move. They hide, run, and stay alert. Their speed and big families help them survive in the wild.

Do you have animals near you that hunt rabbits? Have you ever had to protect a bunny? Tell us your story in the comments!

Like this post? Share it with other rabbit lovers. Let’s help keep bunnies safe and happy!

Read our FAQ answer to find out more answers quickly.

FAQs About Rabbit Predators

What are rabbits’ biggest enemies?

Foxes, coyotes, and birds of prey are the top threats to rabbits. These animals are built to catch them. Foxes can smell rabbits from far away. Coyotes are fast enough to run them down. Hawks can see them from high in the sky.

Do groundhogs eat rabbits?

No, groundhogs don’t eat rabbits. They are herbivores, which means they eat only plants. They love garden veggies, grass, and fruit. Sometimes, groundhogs and rabbits even live near each other without problems!

What animals are rabbits most afraid of?

Rabbits fear predators with certain shapes and movements. They’re most afraid of:

• Dogs and foxes (the shape and smell trigger fear)
• Large birds flying overhead
• Anything that moves quickly or makes sudden movements

Rabbits can literally be scared to death, so always approach them calmly.

How do I keep foxes from eating my rabbits?

To keep foxes away from your rabbits:

• Use fox-proof enclosures with small-gauge wire
• Install motion-sensor lights
• Apply fox repellent around the perimeter
• Keep areas around hutches clear so foxes can’t hide
• Bring rabbits inside at night when possible

Foxes are smart and persistent, so use multiple methods together.

What is the lifespan of a rabbit?

Wild rabbits typically live 1-2 years. The short lifespan is mainly due to predators! Pet rabbits live much longer:

• Small breeds: 5-8 years
• Medium breeds: 8-12 years
• Giant breeds: 5-8 years

Good care and safety from predators help rabbits live long, happy lives.

Do coyotes eat rabbits?

Yes! Coyotes love to eat rabbits. One coyote can eat more than 100 rabbits in a year. They are fast hunters and can run up to 40 miles per hour—much quicker than a rabbit.

Do possums eat rabbits?

Possums don’t usually catch healthy adult rabbits. They’re too slow! But they might eat baby rabbits, or ones that are sick or hurt. Possums like to eat fruit, bugs, and dead animals more than hunting live prey.

What eats rabbits in a food chain?

In nature, rabbits eat plants. That makes them plant-eaters, or “primary consumers.” Meat-eating animals, called “secondary consumers,” eat rabbits. These include:

• Meat-eaters: Foxes, coyotes, bobcats
• Plant + meat eaters: Raccoons, possums
• Birds of prey: Hawks, owls, eagles

Rabbits are an important part of the food chain. They help link plants to bigger animals.

Will a fox eat a rabbit?

Yes! Rabbits are a favorite food for foxes. In many places, they make up 30% of a fox’s meals. Foxes are fast, smart, and great hunters. They eat the whole rabbit—even the bones and fur.