TORONTO – You just do not mess with a mother — especially this one.
A snake that had decided to dine on some baby rabbits got a rude awakening when Mama Rabbit came to at least one of her baby’s rescue, all while using some serious martial arts moves.
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The baby bunny, likely an eastern cottontail, gave out a squeak alerting Mama Rabbit who then began to attack the predator. The snake got the message loud and clear and fled. Except Mama Rabbit wanted to be sure that the snake didn’t return and pursued it, still laying on a serious beating.
This isn’t the first time a snake and rabbit have been caught in a brawl. That’s because these two species are fierce rivals, the predator and the prey. In fact, in the Florida Everglades, pythons have been decimating the rabbit population as well as other mammals.
Baby rabbits are born in shallow ground nests, without fur and blind for the first few days, making them vulnerable to predators such as snakes. It’s estimated that only about 15 per cent of the eastern cottontail survive their first year. Fortunately, rabbits produce three or four times each year with about three to eight babies.
There is some sympathy to be felt for the snake, too, of course. It was just trying to get a meal, after all.
Rabbits. Not so cute and cuddly after all.
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