* Lack of nourishment: Mother rabbits nurse their young and provide them with essential antibodies through their milk. Without this, the kits are extremely vulnerable to starvation and disease.
* Lack of warmth: Mother rabbits keep their kits warm in a nest and provide them with protection from the elements.
* Lack of care: Mothers clean their kits, help regulate their temperature, and teach them essential survival skills like burrowing and foraging.
What to do if you find orphaned baby rabbits:
1. Observe from a distance: Don't immediately approach the kits. Mom rabbits might be away foraging and will return to their young.
2. Check for signs of life: If the kits are cold, lethargic, or have no signs of the mother returning, you may need to intervene.
3. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator: This is the best course of action. They are equipped with the knowledge and resources to care for orphaned rabbits.
4. Do NOT attempt to care for them yourself: It's incredibly difficult to provide the proper care for baby rabbits, and without specialized knowledge, you're likely to do more harm than good.
Important Note: If the kits are in a nest, leave them be and observe from a distance. Don't touch them or move the nest as the scent of human presence could scare the mother away.