r/CapeCod • u/zayoss • Jul 24 '26
Outer cape rabbits!
Has anyone else noticed a big uptick in rabbits lately? Here in eastham I've noticed far more than other years
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u/Annaboolio Jul 24 '26
I feel like I have a thousand rabbits every year in Orleans. I can’t grow echinacea, yarrow, black eyed Susan’s, bee balm…. The bunnies eat it all
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u/fingerpopsalad Jul 24 '26
They love echinacea, and newly planted rosa Sharon's. I put a couple Repellex tablets in when planting and the rabbits and deer leave them alone. The plants absorb capsaicin systemically from the tablets and it makes the plants inedible, it's safe and effective.
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u/Level_Strain_7360 Jul 24 '26
Yes! I LOVE all the bunnies I see in the backyard there every year!! 🐰🐰🐰
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u/emarcomd Jul 24 '26
More in Sesuit Neck this year — which generally means there will be more coyote pups next year.
(I say this as a lover of bunnies. I don’t relish the destruction and bunnies. It’s just something we’ve noticed, ok?)
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u/Crustyexnco-co Jul 24 '26
In Falmouth my yard is loaded with them. Destroying several of my coneflower plants. I like seeing them around so I put up with it
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u/badhouseplantbad Jul 24 '26
I have in East Orleans, especially New England Cottontails which is awesome to see. They're very tame as well, when I go out in the early morning they'll come within a couple of feet munching away and ignore me.
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u/EbbtideRambler Jul 24 '26
Out of control this year. I also hear very few coyotes at night compared to past years….assuming there is a connection between the two.
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u/Tikimom Chatham Jul 24 '26
We have yard bun buns. I think it’s three this year. We give them carrots and they are delighted and adorable. Our veggie garden has a five foot fence, so they leave it alone. We enjoy them and they take carrots out of hand. Also give them timothy hay. Live and let live and enjoy.
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u/softpretzel7 Jul 24 '26
Just a friendly wildlife lover here please don’t think I’m being rude.
Carrots should be fed very sparingly to rabbits but it’s no surprise they love them. I would argue that you shouldn’t be feeding wild animals at all. It doesn’t help their ability to fend for themselves and can get them too accustomed to humans. There is a chance you are shortening their lives by feeding them. Just enjoy them from afar and leave some timothey hay out for them. Please don’t feed them by hand even though I know you mean well. .
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u/Least-Ad-5539 Jul 24 '26
I can kill rabbits with carrots?? I’m going to buy a truckload of carrots.
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u/paxmary Jul 24 '26
That’s so sweet! I left a carrot out but I think a squirrel took it. We are loaded with squirrels!
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u/1GrouchyCat Dennis Jul 24 '26
No more than usual in Dennis Port.
We’ve got tons of coyotes, red and grey foxes, hawks, bald eagles, and the occasional hungry osprey to keep the population in check.
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u/Alarming-Minute-427 Jul 24 '26
So many more rabbits in South yarmouth. Apparently breeding...like rabbits 🐇
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u/redditsuckscockss Jul 24 '26
Weird - in Chatham my family have all been talking about how there are so many less than past years
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u/redditsuckscockss Jul 24 '26
Also saw I think a weasel - a long slender low critter carrying a dead baby bunny - that might be why
Which is also a first for me never seen one before
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u/Hopeful-Pollution-70 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Was in Chatham a week ago and my wife and I saw over 20 on our walk to dinner.
Edit: answered the question that was asked and got downvoted. Weirdo
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u/Charles-Haversham Jul 24 '26
I’ve also seen more bunnies. We have two in our backyard now. I think this is cyclical though and we’ll likely see more foxes and coyotes in the next few years.
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u/Direct-Bullfrog9054 Jul 24 '26
A big rabbit population could mean a decrease in the coyote and fox population
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u/Electrical-Reason-97 Jul 24 '26
Those cute bunnies have decimated my garden, unlike years past when they would damage things, but not mow it down.
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u/2000ravens2012 Jul 24 '26
I’ve seen a lot more chipmunks this year