AboutDana Krempels, Ph.D. Expertise I'm an evolutionary biologist with a passion for animals of all types, so give me a try for questions about natural history, behavior, geographic range and evolutionary history.
If you would like me to identify a "mystery animal," be sure to tell me where you saw it (geographically).
I'm *not* an expert on comparative strengths of different animals (which is a question much more complicated than you might think!) nor bite forces, so if that's your interest I'm probably not the best person to ask.
*****The only questions I will ABSOLUTELY NOT answer are those asking "Which of these two animals--XXX or XXX--would win in a fight?" These hypothetical questions range from the impossible (Sorry, but Grizzly Bears and Gorillas don't even occupy the same *continent*.) to the utterly ridiculous (Someone actually once asked me who would win a fight between a Great White Shark and a tiger...). This type of question bespeaks a hostility towards non-human animals that I'd rather not dignify with an answer.*****
Experience I have been the fortunate caregiver to a group of Black-tailed Jackrabbits rescued from the Miami International Airport, and not releasable in this area because they are not native. I also have rehabbed and released Eastern Cottontails, and am in contact with many very experienced wildlife rescuers who regularly handle injured or orphaned rabbits and hares.
Organizations House Rabbit Society
Publications Exotic DVM journal
Education/Credentials I have a Ph.D. in Biology, with main areas of expertise in evolutionary biology, genetics, botany, and ecology.
Question My dog brought home a baby rabbit. He came running down the mtn behind the house. He is very scared and at first I thought he was paralized. It has noe bee 3 hrs and he can walk, awkwardly, but he can. When I try to pick him up he makes this horrible sound. What do I do? if I take him on the mtn and let him loose can he find his mamma? Or is this a bad idea? I need help!!! Thank you
Answer Dear Misty,
Unless you know *exactly* where your dog found him, then turning him loose would probably be a death sentence, since if he's far away from the nest his mama won't be able to find him.
The noise you hear is probably him screaming in fear of being caught by a predator. His best chance is to be cared for by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, whom you can find here:
But if you absolutely cannot find one, then I hope these instructions will help:
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/wildbabies.pdf
It is very hard to raise a wild cottontail successfully, so if you can't get him back to the nest, then try to find a rehabber who can be trusted to raise a baby rabbit (and not feed him to a snake or bird of prey!).
