On my early morning walks, I am seeing so many more rabbits in yards and in streets, than I have ever seen before. What’s up?
It all started for me about 6 weeks ago, when I heard a rustling in my front yard bushes as I approached the front door. Another time a caught a glimpse of the top of a brown, furry body darting through the bushes. I was not pleased, as peaches from my neighbors’ delightful tree were ripening, and hanging over my back wall. My first thought was that a fruit rat was going to hang out to go for the peaches.
The next day or so, I finally had a rabbit-siting in the yard and realized that was probably what I had been hearing and seeing. What a relief that it was not a rat! And now, I see a rabbit every few days, hopping around the house
Well, multiply that rabbit siting by about 7, and that is what I am seeing on my strolls through the neighborhood. Prior years, I might see 1 rabbit on a walk, so why the change? I realize in writing this, that I am walking further this year than last, so that could account for maybe 1 more rabbit, but the other 6 or so per walk are still a mystery.
Questions: Has there been a change in their natural food source , or water source? And/or, has there been a change in the population of predators of rabbits, like hawks and coyotes? One thing I have no question about, however, is why the place we live in is called the Conejo Valley!
Posted by Janna Orkney
Jeanne Cope // Jun 28, 2009 at 11:38 AM
This is an interesting observation because the population usually drops during dry periods. I have seen lots of rabbits and rats. Might be they are coming down to get food and water.
Bob Coutts // Jun 28, 2009 at 1:07 PM
First of all I’m glad you are going on your morning walks. Second, I think that the rabbit population upswing is part of a normal cycle that I have observed for years here in the Conejo Valley, they do breed like rabbits. What will happen starting pretty soon, is that the preditor population that has been minimized because there weren’t too many rabbits, will find the excess rabbit population attractive and will get fat on fresh new unlimited rabbits, thereby killing them off again. Then the preditors (coyotes, owls, bobcats) in our area, will find that there is nothing to eat because they ate it all, and then leave. They have been gone recently and that’s why the rabbit population has climbed. Gone, by the way does not mean that they are not here, it just means they spend more of their time where the food is, maybe Palo Commado Canyon, like we live here but eat in Westlake or Calabassas. As a scientist, that’s my hypothesis, so it must be tested. Observe over the next few months and see if the rabbit population goes back down again. Also, let me know if you see any well fed coyotes.
Drew // Jun 28, 2009 at 10:07 PM
I have noticed more bunnies … and I think they are just more prevalent at this time of year. I saw one sitting by the side of Doubletree a couple of weeks ago watching cars go by … likely not worrying too much about the economy, perhaps more about coyotes. I am out and about around here a lot, and I do not think they are any more prevalent than in previous years.
eco-nerd // Jun 29, 2009 at 9:12 PM
The density of a rabbit populations is usually related to soil fertility. I can’t help but think that their increasing numbers could be due to the large number of gardeners that are now growing their own food. (See Drew, they do relate to the economy)Healthier rabbits = larger numbers of healthy offspring. My garden is producing a few prime examples.
Ginger Pollack // Jun 30, 2009 at 8:32 AM
The bunny population in my yard has held pretty steady the last 2-3 years with 6-8 bunnies typically sighted in early a.m and evening. But I think Bob is right – I used to hear a lot of owls up here, but in the past few years nada. I do have a lot more of the ground squirrels (one family in the back yard, one in the front yard)- they have skinny tails and “chirp” to one another. Last year I had a pair of chipmunks, but think they succumbed to a neighbors ill-conceived rat poison. I miss those little guys.
Joseph Axelrad // Jul 23, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Is it illegal to hunt rabbits in the conejo valley if they are a pest in your yard? Rabbit repellent sprays don’t seem to be working and the neighborhood cats are getting lazy… my grass is getting all dug up from the digging and pooping and it is quite obnoxious to have to spray awful smelling commercial coyote and bobcat urine.