Rabbits

Lagomorpha: Leporidae

Description

Rabbits are undoubtedly cute wild animals in backyards, but they can severely damage landscape plants, orchard trees, and other woody plants. They possess a voracious appetite for all kinds of fresh vegetation and preferably eat young plants and tender new growth.

Damage

The signs of damage by rabbits include delicately nibbled leaves and stems, especially on young or newly emerging plants, and chewed bark of trees near ground level, especially on saplings, shrubs, and fruit trees. Rabbits also have an extremely high reproductive potential, which is why keeping them around might quickly cause a total garden infestation. They can reproduce up to 15 babies per year.