1. Stress and Disturbance:
* Human intervention: The most common reason is human disturbance. Rabbits are incredibly sensitive to scent and noise. If a human touches the nest, handles the kits, or even smells their scent too strongly, the mother rabbit might abandon or kill her babies out of fear that they are no longer safe.
* Predators: If the mother rabbit senses a predator nearby or smells a predator's scent, she might kill her babies to prevent them from attracting attention.
2. Lack of Resources:
* Insufficient food: If the mother rabbit is unable to find enough food to sustain herself and her babies, she may resort to killing some or all of them to ensure the survival of the strongest ones.
* Poor nesting conditions: A poorly constructed nest, a lack of suitable nesting material, or extreme weather conditions can stress the mother rabbit and lead to infanticide.
3. Health Issues:
* Disease or infection: A sick or injured mother rabbit might not be able to care for her babies properly. She may also kill them out of instinct, trying to protect the rest of her litter from potential infection.
4. Overcrowding:
* Large litters: If the mother rabbit has a very large litter, she may not be able to adequately care for all of them. In this case, she might kill some of her babies to manage resources.
Important Notes:
* It's not always intentional: In many cases, the mother rabbit is simply acting on instinct to protect her young or ensure the survival of the strongest.
* Don't disturb the nest: Avoid touching or inspecting a rabbit nest unless absolutely necessary. If you find a nest, leave it undisturbed and keep a safe distance.
If you suspect a mother rabbit is struggling, consult with a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitation center for advice.