Dear Cathy,
In my daily walks in my neighborhood, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of wild rabbits. They are especially numerous early mornings and evenings. Is there an explanation for the rise in their population? — Andy, East Northport, New York
Dear Andy,
I reached out to Volunteers for Wildlife in Locust Valley, New York, about your observation. They mentioned they haven’t noted a significant population boom of rabbits on Long Island. However, rabbit populations naturally fluctuate based on the availability of food, shelter, and the presence of predators. Rabbits tend to thrive in areas with plenty of grass and clover for feeding, as well as places to hide from potential predators. If your neighborhood offers these resources and has few natural predators, it’s an ideal habitat for them. Since rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk, your morning and evening walks are perfectly timed to spot these adorable critters.
Take some time to enjoy their presence—they’re a wonderful reminder of the wildlife we share our neighborhoods with!
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to moc.tidnuptep@yhtac. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal
I think the cause of this massive population is because of the climate change and the food they feed on and also the habitat of that area.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Climate change can indeed impact wildlife populations by altering habitats and food availability. Perhaps this is what’s causing the increase in rabbits in Andy’s neighborhood. It’s fascinating to consider how interconnected these factors are.