Where is everybody??

[Tina B and crew]

It was obvious to most everyone else that this was no cottontail. But this guy was being obnoxious with his opinion.

[Traci]

Just like cats and dogs, domestic bunnies become very dependent upon their human caretakers. I truly hope the owner is looking, and that bunny doesn't live far from home. There are all sorts of dangers out there, as you know, including things like parasites that domestic bunnies are treated for, just like cats and dogs). Let's hope and pray he gets back home soon.

[Tina B and crew]

We haven't seen it since the day I posted this. We've all looked but if it is around it is being elusive. Like I said, there are hundreds of undeveloped acres surrounding us, so it could go anywhere. And yes, I was concerned about dangers - particularly coyotes and hawks - but there is not much I can do now. I'll continue to keep an eye out for it as is my neighbor.

[k9Karen]

While I agree that the coloring of this rabbit does make it look like a domestic one, you can never be sure what Mother Nature can do. There is a possibility that this actually is a wild rabbit with a mutated coat color (or one that is a cross breed between a domestic one that was in the wild and a wild one. although, in that situation, I'd expect the wild-type phenotype to be dominant). Unfortunately, there is no way to be sure whether this is a pet that was released or got loose or a variant of some type that was born in the wild. Just like albinos that show up in the wild every now and then, other variants can also occur.

[Tina B and crew]

That's what I thought at first when I saw it from the distance Karen, but upon closer inspection this rabbit had the build of a domestic rabbit, not that of a cottontail. I am not sure if this is true, but I have read that domestics and cottontails cannot crossbreed. If so then I am inclined to lean toward this being a domestic rabbit based on it's physical features.

[E's]

If this was FB, I'd punch "like" on your reply, Tina. I am certainly in no way an expert, but I spent significant stretches of my life in rural areas: IMO the rabbit in question is (was) an escaped - or abandoned - domestic bunny, and its lifespan is - or was - very brief. Let's hope it didn't - doesn't - suffer.

[Tina B and crew]

Yea, we are wondering what happened to it. If it is just hiding, went off into the field next door, or well...you know. I too hope it doesn't/didn't suffer. We will continue to look for it though.

[k9Karen]

I'm pretty sure they can interbreed. Rabbit is rabbit in the DNA sense. What separates them genetically is mostly temperament and appearance caused by human interference due to selective breeding. Basically its' the same as the difference between a modest, calm blonde woman and a fiery, dictatorial, dark-haired man. (or vice versa - for example a fiery easily riled Italian women and a calm Swiss diplomat). These people could have children if they desired, just like the bunnies from opposite lives could have kits of their own.

[Tina B and crew]

Everything I have read has been indicative of domestic rabbits and cottontails not being able to breed due to chromosomal differences. I mean, they can mate, but the chance of having viable offspring is not good. At least that is my understanding. The domestic rabbit is descended from the European hare which is a different breed from the cottontail.

[Cleo]

I've been in H E L L the last few weeks. The devil let me come up for some air but I don't expect it to last long. We've had family issues, problems with the house, a 4 foot flood in the basement thanks to hurricane whoever it was last. Dealing with an obnoxious insurance adjuster and cultivating mold spores in my lungs cleaning up.

I hope that bunny found it's way home safely.