As a rabbit care enthusiast, you probably know that rabbits are good runners and jumpers. However, when it comes to wild rabbits, the situation is different as the real question remains “how high can a wild rabbit jump?” Because wild rabbits are not well-fed, they tend to lose more weight than pet rabbits. Thus, they have a higher capacity to jump. Wild rabbits can jump up to 4 feet and, in some cases, 5 feet.
In this piece, we will look at what can make rabbits jump and every other thing you need to know about rabbit jumps.
Why Do Wild Rabbits Jump?
Ordinarily, you would assume the only reason a wild rabbit may be jumping is that it is happy. In some cases, you may want to believe that it is responding to your playful gesture or playing with its mates. While all these may be true, it is not always the case when they jump.
The major reason wild rabbits jump is to escape from their prey. Animals like snakes, wolves, and foxes are usually on the lookout for rabbits for food. Therefore, rabbits are forced to jump and run for safety. More so, wild rabbits jump to invade your garden. Wild rabbits enjoy vegetables and flower plants. Therefore, you must be careful of these creatures if you plant vegetables and flowers in your garden.
How Fast Can a Wild Rabbit Jump?
We all know rabbits, especially wild rabbits, for their fast-running ability. However, having learned how high they can jump, how about the speed of their jumps? Can they jump fast as they run?
One thing to note is that rabbits are vulnerable in the wild. They have to escape from a lot of enemies to survive. Therefore, either they run or they jump. They have to be as fast as they can. Records have shown that wild rabbits can hop as quickly as 30 mph. They can jump at 45 mph when there is greater danger.
Does Size Affect Rabbits’ Jumping?
Oh yes! Size affects the ability of a rabbit to jump. The muscle in the hind legs of rabbits gives them jumping power. Therefore, the small rabbits’ muscles could not have developed well enough to allow them to jump very high.
As for the medium size rabbits, they jump the highest. Their muscles have been well developed and can lift them very high. More so, they are not oversized. Thus, they have nothing to retard them from jumping high as they can. Lastly, the giant rabbits cannot jump up very high. Although their muscles have been developed, their body weight will prevent them from jumping so high.
Can Wild Rabbits Do Binkies?
Yes, rabbits can do binkies as it’s something they derive joy from. It is one of the most important movements that saves rabbits from their prey. Binkies allow them to dribble their prey to one side while they advance in another direction.
Can Jumping Be Dangerous for Rabbits?
Jumping is a sign of healthy life for rabbits. Therefore, you will see them jumping when they are happy and strong. They can jump on beds, sofas, and other furniture in the house. However, jumping from a considerably high place could be dangerous. Their bones could get broken.
When rabbits start aging, they will no longer have the agility they had at a tender age.
Jumping can therefore be dangerous for them. Likewise, if you have fed your rabbit to become very big, you need to watch the heights it jumps. Its heavy body falling on its bones can get the bones broken.
Can Wild Rabbits Destroy a Garden?
Well, it depends on the garden. You don’t have to worry about wild rabbits’ invasion if you don’t have plants in your garden. However, if you have a garden where ornaments and vegetables are planted, you should be wary of them, especially if you stay in an area that is habitable for rabbits.
Rabbits are herbivorous animals. They enjoy feeding on vegetables and flower plants. They will take down your garden if proper and prompt action is not taken. Wild rabbits will frequent your garden to eat if you don’t protect it.
What Height of Garden Fence Can Stop Wild Rabbits?
Building a fence is an excellent strategy to shoo rabbits away from your garden. However, bear in mind that rabbits are good jumpers. Therefore, you need to build a fence of considerably good height to prevent them from entering your farm.
We have learned that wild rabbits can jump up to 4 to 5 feet. The garden fence to stop them should be 6 to 7 feet tall. At this height, the rabbits cannot even see what is in the garden, let alone invade it, unless you build a transparent garden fence.
How Do I Build a Fence to Prevent Wild Rabbits from My Garden?
Meanwhile, more than building a tall fence is needed to stop these creatures. You have to make the fence with a plan to prevent rabbits from infesting your garden. There may be many ways to do this, but I will teach you a straightforward way. You need to take the following steps.
Step 1 – Get the Required Materials
Building the fence with the required materials will give the most desired result. Start by getting wooden or steel posts. The posts will help hold the nets. Then, get chicken wire that will be enough to fence your garden.
Furthermore, buy clips that will attach the nets to the post. You will need five clips for each post. You will also need a shovel to dig the area the fence will cover. You may as well buy electric wires if you would like to electrocute the garden fence.
Step 2 – Dig a Trench for the Fence
Now, using the shovel, dig a trench around your garden. The fence will stand on the excavated area. Therefore, ensure the whole garden is enclosed in a dug area. You should dig the trench such that it is 15cm wide and at least 5 cm deep.
Step 3 – Set the Fence Post
First, pick four out of the wooden or steel posts. Place them at each angle of the garden. Afterward, place the rest of the posts at an even distance on the dug trench. A distance between 2cm to 2.5cm is desirable.
After that, hammer each of the posts into the ground. The posts on the four corners of the garden should be at least 35cm deep into the ground. Being held firm from the corners is significant for other posts. You can hammer the rest of the posts between 25cm to 30cm deep into the ground.
Step 4 – Lay the Net on the First Side
It would be better to start with a short side. You should place the net on the two corner posts hammered into the ground earlier. Ensure that the net forms an L. However, the flap on the ground should be facing outside.
By placing it outside, you are sending off the rabbits. The flap will prevent the rabbits from entering the garden from under the net. Afterward, fasten the net to the two posts. Remember, you must attach five clips to each post to become firm.
Step 5 – Lay the Net on the Other Sides
Now, you should follow the same procedure for the other sides of the garden. The L placement facing outside and attaching 5 clips to each of the posts; are also crucial for the different sides.
Meanwhile, while attaching the clips, it would be better to have a little space to allow the fence to move when pressed. If it is too tight, it may get worn out quickly. Therefore, the nets should not be fastened aggressively to the posts.
Step 6 – Attach the Flap to the Ground
The flap facing outside will only be helpful if they are fastened to the ground. Else, the rabbits will quickly go beneath them to invade your garden. Therefore, with the aid of staples, make the flap well attached to the ground.
Importantly, staple the flap at the bending edge that forms a 90-degree angle. Ensure that the distance between the staples is at most 60cm. Doing so will leave no chance for any invader to crawl into your farm.
Step 7 – Do the Final Touches
Start by checking around the fence. Cut out the nets pointing out if there are any. They can be very dangerous to people who don’t notice them. After that, check the whole fence properly. If you see anything that needs to be fixed properly, do so. Finally, cover the flap pointing outside with soil to keep them out of sight of the rabbits.
Related Post: How to Tell if Your Rabbit is Blind?
Final Thoughts
Rabbits generally are good runners and jumpers. However, considering what they witness in the wild, wild rabbits are better runners and jumpers. They have to jump and run even skillfully if they will be saved from their prey.
However, if you have a garden in an area where they are rampant, it would be better to build a fence. Wild rabbits can finish the plants in your garden if proper care is not taken.