Baby Mammals

Baby Cottontails

Rabbit nests are shallow holes in the ground, commonly in lawns. The mother will usually line the nest with fur and dry vegetation. These nests are frequently disturbed by people mowing or raking their lawns. Likewise, cats and dogs often find the nests and kill or injure the babies.

photo: (c) Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

If you find a cottontail nest and it has been disturbed replace the baby rabbits and leave them there. If the babies are still in the disturbed nest cover it with grass clippings. Mother cottontails only come to feed their young early in the morning and at dusk, so don't expect to see her. If you're not sure if the mother is going to return try placing a string over the nest and if it has not moved by the following morning, it's likely that she has not been back to feed them. If the babies are cool and appear hungry, bring them to your nearest wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife care center as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep them in a warm, dark box in some toweling in a quiet location.

Young rabbits are independent of their mothers soon after their eyes open, although they may be only 4-5 inches long. They have a high death rate when hand raised, due largely in part to the stress of handling by humans. People are not doing the babies any good by attempting to raise them themselves and it usually has a sad ending. Remember, if you have to chase the rabbit to catch it, it doesn't need rescuing.

Baby Squirrels and Chipmunks

Squirrel and chipmunks nests are usually destroyed by a storm, and infants fall to the ground. It is best to place the babies into a box set at the base of the tree. The mother will usually come retrieve them when people are not around. Keep dogs, cats and children away. If the mother does not return or if the babies are injured it is best to bring the babies to your nearest local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife care center. In the meantime, keep them in a warm and quiet area, such as a box with toweling.

photo: (c) Jim Nachel

Baby Raccoons and Fawns

Babies of both species are frequently left alone by their mothers for several hours at a time. These youngsters are almost never orphans when found by themselves and mom is usually nearby. Leave the animals untouched overnight. If they haven't moved and are noticeably weaker then they probably require some care, please contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife care center.

Baby Opossums and Skunks

The older youngsters of these species are often seen accompanying their mothers on nocturnal foraging expeditions. If found alone, they should be left overnight. If they have not moved by morning, they have possibly become lost or orphaned.

While still dependent, baby opossums stay near their mothers. Young skunks, however, often play alone near the den cavity or hole, and should not be bothered. Remember that even the young are capable of defending themselves with the potent spray. Skunks are a major carrier of rabies in Illinois.

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