Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? - The Firearms Forum

ponycar17 · 03-28-2010, 04:07 PM

I just found this in the field behind the house where I'm growing some Bartlett Pear trees. At first I thought it was a field rat but it's a baby rabbit. It was obviously fresh but the question is, what could have done this? It's a clean bite and the entire front section of the rabbit is missing? What's your guess? My wife and I both guessed Coyote initially but I haven't heard any around here lately. Bobcat possibly?... And why did it only take half? Did I interrupt something when I walked outside?

Yeah, I'm at a loss to describe this.

pinecone70 · 03-28-2010, 04:12 PM

That's a weird one, for sure. Pretty small rabbit, I'd guess?

cycloneman · 03-28-2010, 04:14 PM

Cayote or cat. My house cats will kill baby rabbits and bring them home just like mice. I see that all the time out here by me. I think a cayote would have eaten the whole thing. But you never know. "chupacabra"

pinecone70 · 03-28-2010, 04:16 PM

Maybe that calf that eats baby chicks, from youtube. A clean cut like that doesn't come from any of the gnawing animals, that's why I presume the rabbit is very small.

ponycar17 · 03-28-2010, 04:22 PM

It would have been a big cat for sure... or the cat spent some time gnawing. The rabbit was probably about 4 times the size of a cat's mouth I'd guess. I'm leaning toward a coyote or even a fox but I don't understand why it wouldn't have eaten all of the critter.

oldogy · 03-28-2010, 07:17 PM

I do not know of any carnivore that has teeth that would bite the front end off the rabbit in a clean bite. Something killed it and started at the head. Either something scared the killer off or it got full of bunny and ran off on its own. Even a small dog would probably eat the whole thing. I once had a cat that would catch rabbits and squirrels, start at the head and usually eat all but the very last of the rear legs. You may have found the last remains of a nest of rabbits that the predator destroyed.
I do not think you've found anything unusual.
oldogy

red14 · 03-28-2010, 07:21 PM

Chupacabra!!!

AAAaaaiiiieeeeee!!!!!!!!!

JLA · 03-28-2010, 07:34 PM

definitely a cat. My neighbors cat bring half eaten field rats and leaves them on my porch that are chewed in two perfectly just like your bunny friend there. They like the brains I suppose... dumb cats...

tcox4freedom · 03-28-2010, 07:39 PM

My guess would be a dog.

Dogs will sometimes go after smaller game. They wll also take something like a small rabbit, rat, etc and attack at the head and shake. This will usually take the head off rather efficienty.

I've known dogs such as pitbulls and other large terrier breeds to do something like this. I've even seen my Border Collie take a small rabbit by the head and and throw it around until the head comes off fairly clean.

ponycar17 · 03-28-2010, 08:11 PM

Then again from what y'all are telling me this could have been a dog or cat... If a cat I can see some gnawing going on. The cat would have had to have carried it a good way from the kill point because there was no residual blood or parts to be found. A dog makes more sense but I've never seen a dog do this. Go figure...

We're infested with rabbits so finding a dead one isn't a big surprise. Those little boogers wreak havoc on my Japanese Maples.

JLA · 03-28-2010, 08:17 PM

maybe it was shot with a varmint grenade and simply blew it in two, and thats just where the butt landed...

pinecone70 · 03-28-2010, 08:20 PM

Eeep! I have to stop looking at this entire thread, it's giving me the dry heaves!!

ponycar17 · 03-28-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

maybe it was shot with a varmint grenade and simply blew it in two, and thats just where the butt landed...

Varmint rounds wouldn't have been nearly as clean...

jacksonco · 03-28-2010, 08:52 PM

It could have been a raptor or perhaps a weasel. Was their any water near by? It may have been getting a drink and a phirahna got a hold of it. Could have been an Eskimo in the area and clubbed it mistaking it for a baby seal.

Silencer · 03-28-2010, 09:01 PM

Somebody's house cat did that, or their dog.

Coyote would've taken the whole rabbit back to their hole.

CampingJosh · 03-28-2010, 09:36 PM

I would bet on a large bird. I've seen this section of a much larger rabbit, and it was done by a bird.

I was actually lying on my roof looking at the stars, and I heard a loud "thud" just on the other side of the crest. I sat up to see a big bird (owl maybe), and my sitting up scared it off.
Turns out that "thud" was the bird dropping the back half of a rabbit so that it could land and dine. I didn't mean to ruin its dinner.

Anyway, that clean cut really makes me think it was a bird, and something scared the thing off before it got a chance to eat.

carver · 03-28-2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampingJosh

I would bet on a large bird. I've seen this section of a much larger rabbit, and it was done by a bird.

I was actually lying on my roof looking at the stars, and I heard a loud "thud" just on the other side of the crest. I sat up to see a big bird (owl maybe), and my sitting up scared it off.
Turns out that "thud" was the bird dropping the back half of a rabbit so that it could land and dine. I didn't mean to ruin its dinner.

Anyway, that clean cut really makes me think it was a bird, and something scared the thing off before it got a chance to eat.

I think you got it, my guess is an Owl. Seen em catch a squirrel and eat off the head, droping the body to the ground.

JLA · 03-28-2010, 10:13 PM

Im sticking to the varmint grenade theory

The_Rifleman · 03-28-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red14

Chupacabra!!!

AAAaaaiiiieeeeee!!!!!!!!!

LOL!

ponycar17 · 03-29-2010, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carver

I think you got it, my guess is an Owl. Seen em catch a squirrel and eat off the head, droping the body to the ground.

Y'all may be right. There are a lot of large owls around here. That may also explain why there's no blood around if the owl carried the rabbit for a short distance and then dropped it.

mncarpenter · 03-29-2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carver

I think you got it, my guess is an Owl. Seen em catch a squirrel and eat off the head, droping the body to the ground.

When I was a kid, I had a Great Horned Owl that I rescued from an entanglement with a barb-wire fence. I'd catch mice and ground squirrels for him when I was in working in the field and hand feed him. That's exactly what he did, rip 'em in half and swallow the parts whole. Left a little pellet with the tails and feet sticking out. That bird would purr like a cat when I stroked his breast feathers, but would get very aggressive if I touched his wings. Son of a gun could hurt, too.

JLA · 03-29-2010, 07:25 AM

Owls are cool. i have a small family of 3 living in my barn. The female stands about 3 feet tall, her chicks are about a month old now and starting to try to fly. Soon theyll be 3 feet tall. i love them, they help keep the rats and rabbits out of my garden. Better than a scarecrow IMO...

Helix_FR · 03-29-2010, 12:31 PM

Nagh, it was Ozzy Osbourne. He stopped by for lunch.

rosierita · 03-29-2010, 02:28 PM

my vote is on the owl too.

Just One Shot · 03-29-2010, 02:58 PM

LANDSHARK!

03-28-2010, 04:07 PM	#1
ponycar17 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Carolina Contributor Posts: 4,884	Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? I just found this in the field behind the house where I'm growing some Bartlett Pear trees. At first I thought it was a field rat but it's a baby rabbit. It was obviously fresh but the question is, what could have done this? It's a clean bite and the entire front section of the rabbit is missing? What's your guess? My wife and I both guessed Coyote initially but I haven't heard any around here lately. Bobcat possibly?... And why did it only take half? Did I interrupt something when I walked outside? Yeah, I'm at a loss to describe this. __________________ Arm yourself with intellectual Ammunition! Gunfacts 5.1 Myth-Busting Facts JustFacts.com on Gun Control Stopping Power, the Downloadable Book --> Last edited by ponycar17; 06-07-2011 at 09:50 PM..

03-28-2010, 04:12 PM	#2
pinecone70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Gal! Posts: 4,730	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? That's a weird one, for sure. Pretty small rabbit, I'd guess? __________________ _____________________________________________ "Miss Scarlet, in the library...with a revolver...."

03-28-2010, 04:14 PM	#3
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,398	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? Cayote or cat. My house cats will kill baby rabbits and bring them home just like mice. I see that all the time out here by me. I think a cayote would have eaten the whole thing. But you never know. "chupacabra" __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

03-28-2010, 04:16 PM	#4
pinecone70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Gal! Posts: 4,730	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? Maybe that calf that eats baby chicks, from youtube. A clean cut like that doesn't come from any of the gnawing animals, that's why I presume the rabbit is very small. __________________ _____________________________________________ "Miss Scarlet, in the library...with a revolver...."

03-28-2010, 04:22 PM	#5
ponycar17 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Carolina Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? It would have been a big cat for sure... or the cat spent some time gnawing. The rabbit was probably about 4 times the size of a cat's mouth I'd guess. I'm leaning toward a coyote or even a fox but I don't understand why it wouldn't have eaten all of the critter. __________________ Arm yourself with intellectual Ammunition! Gunfacts 5.1 Myth-Busting Facts JustFacts.com on Gun Control Stopping Power, the Downloadable Book Last edited by ponycar17; 03-28-2010 at 05:57 PM..

03-28-2010, 07:17 PM	#6
oldogy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East TN Posts: 309	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? I do not know of any carnivore that has teeth that would bite the front end off the rabbit in a clean bite. Something killed it and started at the head. Either something scared the killer off or it got full of bunny and ran off on its own. Even a small dog would probably eat the whole thing. I once had a cat that would catch rabbits and squirrels, start at the head and usually eat all but the very last of the rear legs. You may have found the last remains of a nest of rabbits that the predator destroyed. I do not think you've found anything unusual. oldogy __________________ ue"]If gun laws in fact worked, the sponsors of this type of legislation should have no difficulty drawing upon long lists of examples of crime rates reduced by such legislation. That they cannot do so after a century and a half of trying -- " Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah)[/COLOR]

03-28-2010, 07:21 PM	#7
red14 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N FLA Posts: 3,913	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? Chupacabra!!! AAAaaaiiiieeeeee!!!!!!*!!!* __________________ I never argue, I state my opinion, and support my position.

03-28-2010, 07:34 PM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? definitely a cat. My neighbors cat bring half eaten field rats and leaves them on my porch that are chewed in two perfectly just like your bunny friend there. They like the brains I suppose... dumb cats... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-28-2010, 07:39 PM	#9
tcox4freedom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Carolina USA Posts: 938	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? My guess would be a dog. Dogs will sometimes go after smaller game. They wll also take something like a small rabbit, rat, etc and attack at the head and shake. This will usually take the head off rather efficienty. I've known dogs such as pitbulls and other large terrier breeds to do something like this. I've even seen my Border Collie take a small rabbit by the head and and throw it around until the head comes off fairly clean.

03-28-2010, 08:11 PM	#10
ponycar17 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Carolina Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? Then again from what y'all are telling me this could have been a dog or cat... If a cat I can see some gnawing going on. The cat would have had to have carried it a good way from the kill point because there was no residual blood or parts to be found. A dog makes more sense but I've never seen a dog do this. Go figure... We're infested with rabbits so finding a dead one isn't a big surprise. Those little boogers wreak havoc on my Japanese Maples. __________________ Arm yourself with intellectual Ammunition! Gunfacts 5.1 Myth-Busting Facts JustFacts.com on Gun Control Stopping Power, the Downloadable Book

03-28-2010, 08:17 PM	#11
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? maybe it was shot with a varmint grenade and simply blew it in two, and thats just where the butt landed... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-28-2010, 08:20 PM	#12
pinecone70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Gal! Posts: 4,730	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? Eeep! I have to stop looking at this entire thread, it's giving me the dry heaves!! __________________ _____________________________________________ "Miss Scarlet, in the library...with a revolver...."

03-28-2010, 08:52 PM	#14
jacksonco Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jackson County West Virginia Posts: 2,237	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? It could have been a raptor or perhaps a weasel. Was their any water near by? It may have been getting a drink and a phirahna got a hold of it. Could have been an Eskimo in the area and clubbed it mistaking it for a baby seal.

03-28-2010, 09:01 PM	#15
Silencer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Southern California: Inland Empire Posts: 1,290	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? Somebody's house cat did that, or their dog. Coyote would've taken the whole rabbit back to their hole. __________________ War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. Skeet Shooting Game! Don't Shoot Your Eye Out!

03-28-2010, 09:36 PM	#16
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,787	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? I would bet on a large bird. I've seen this section of a much larger rabbit, and it was done by a bird. I was actually lying on my roof looking at the stars, and I heard a loud "thud" just on the other side of the crest. I sat up to see a big bird (owl maybe), and my sitting up scared it off. Turns out that "thud" was the bird dropping the back half of a rabbit so that it could land and dine. I didn't mean to ruin its dinner. Anyway, that clean cut really makes me think it was a bird, and something scared the thing off before it got a chance to eat. __________________ Nothing posted on TheFirearmsForum.com constitutes legal, accounting, gunsmithing, or other professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for real advice. Your life is lived at your own risk. Don't blame me for the dumb things you do.

03-28-2010, 10:13 PM	#18
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? Im sticking to the varmint grenade theory __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-29-2010, 07:25 AM	#22
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? Owls are cool. i have a small family of 3 living in my barn. The female stands about 3 feet tall, her chicks are about a month old now and starting to try to fly. Soon theyll be 3 feet tall. i love them, they help keep the rats and rabbits out of my garden. Better than a scarecrow IMO... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-29-2010, 12:31 PM	#23
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? Nagh, it was Ozzy Osbourne. He stopped by for lunch. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

03-29-2010, 02:28 PM	#24
rosierita Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 5,218	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? my vote is on the owl too. __________________

03-29-2010, 02:58 PM	#25
Just One Shot V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 432	Re: Baby rabbit found dead (Warning: Graphic) What did this? LANDSHARK!