Mother rabbits can indeed smell their babies. However, unlike some other animals, the scent of human handling does not seem to deter mother rabbits from caring for their young. This means that even if a baby rabbit has been handled by a human, the mother will still continue to care for it.
In the wild, rabbits rely heavily on their sense of smell to navigate their environment and communicate with each other. They use scent marking to establish territories and to identify each other. Scent also plays a crucial role in the mother-infant bond in rabbits.
When a baby rabbit is born, it is completely hairless, blind, and deaf. At this stage, they are entirely dependent on their mother for survival. The mother rabbit will nurse her babies and keep them warm, and she will also groom them to keep them clean and stimulate their bodily functions, such as urination and defecation.
While the scent of human handling may be present on a baby rabbit, it does not seem to deter the mother from recognizing her own offspring. The mother rabbit is able to distinguish her babies by their individual scent and will continue to care for them regardless of any human contact they may have had.
It is worth mentioning that wild rabbits, including orphaned ones, are extremely difficult to hand raise. Their dietary needs are specific and require a delicate balance of nutrients that can be challenging to replicate. Additionally, the stress of being separated from their mother and the absence of their natural environment can have a significant impact on their health and well-being.
Research has shown that less than 10 percent of orphaned rabbits survive when hand raised. This is why it is generally recommended to leave orphaned rabbits in the care of their mother if possible. If intervention is necessary, it is best to seek the help of a wildlife rehabilitator who has the knowledge and experience to provide proper care for these delicate creatures.
Mother rabbits can indeed smell their babies, but they do not seem to be deterred by the scent of human handling. However, it is important to remember that hand raising wild rabbits is challenging and often results in low survival rates. It is best to leave orphaned rabbits in the care of their mother if possible or seek professional help from a wildlife rehabilitator.