| Description |
This page has been prepared for the "Rabbits
and their Relatives:
Health and Management" Wildpro volume, and is designed for the
needs of Lepus spp.
leverets These species are within the family Leporidae.
- Lagomorphs are not considered easy to hand-rear. (B156.12.w12)
- Note: Healthy leverets are normally left alone in areas of grassland during the day (normal
behaviour). Members of the public may find such a leveret and mistakenly assume that it
has been abandoned by its parents and is in need of care. Where possible, the public
should be educated that this is normal behaviour and such youngsters should be left alone
unless they are obviously sick, injured or in immediate danger. (W729.Dec08.w2,
V.w145)
- If a leveret is in immediate danger and must be moved a short
distance, rubbing the hands in grass or other vegetation then
pulling up clumps of vegetation and using picking up the leveret
between two such clumps of grass will minimise transfer of human
scent to the leveret. (V.w145)
- Note: it is important to ensure that the infant has been
correctly identified. Leverets (Lepus
spp., including jackrabbits) are precocial;
they are born fully furred, have their eyes open, are mobile from a
few minutes after birth, and are left above ground. Leverets which
allow themselves to be picked up are probably very young, still
suckling and will need to be hand-reared and bottle fed. (B284.10.w10,
J82.16.w2, N35.12.w1,
V.w145)
- Note: a newborn leveret, still fully dependent on milk, may
appear similar in size and general appearance to a just-weaned rabbit.
(B284.10.w10, N35.12.w1)
Initial Care:
General mammal information:
- On arrival any young mammal should be weighed, warmed (not too quickly
if severely chilled), stimulated to
urinate/defecate and given supplementary fluids by an appropriate route to counteract
dehydration.
- The age should be determined if possible. (See
individual species information pages, sections "Appearance -
Neonate" and "Life Stages - Reproductive stages").
- The first feed given should be an oral rehydration (electrolyte) solution
(e.g. Lectade, Pfizer
Limited), with a gradual changeover to a milk substitute over
several feeds.
- For further general information see:
General Care (including warmth and hygiene):
General mammal information:
- Keep out of draughts but ensure ventilation is adequate.
- Provide a temperature range, e.g. by heating one end of the container more than the
other, which, while not allowing either overheating or chilling, permits the animal to
chose the position at which it feels most comfortable.
- The container used should be sufficiently large to allow the occupant to move into a
comfortable position.
- The sides of the container should be sufficiently high to prevent the occupant falling
out.
- Bedding materials should be soft, comfortable and either disposable or easily washed.
They should keep the animal dry and be changed as frequently as necessary to prevent
soiling.
- (B194,
P3.1987.w5,
V.w5)
Hare and Jackrabbit specific information:
- House in a quiet undisturbed area. (J23.35.w2,
W729.Dec08.w1, V.w145)
- If rearing at home, keeping the leveret(s) initially in a quiet
room which is not in constant use and once they are feeding well,
preferably in a shed or similar building which provides a quiet area
away from the domestic environment. (V.w145)
- Minimise both visual stress and noise. Provide nesting areas/hiding
boxes. (J311.7.w1)
- Keep the cage and bedding clean and disinfect the cage etc. regularly,
making sure that no residue of disinfectant is left and that the cage is
dry before the leveret is returned to it. (V.w145)
Suggested cages
- For very young leverets only a small area is required as they will
not move much initially. A wire small mammal cage with a plastic base
can be used. Line the base with newspaper, make a nest shape with a
towel or piece of fleece inside the cage and settle the leveret in the
towel-nest. (V.w145)
- After a few days, a slightly larger cage can be used, with a
towel nest at one end and a layer of hay at the other end. (V.w145)
- The towel/fleece can be removed after the first 48 hours. (V.w145)
- The hay should be changed every second day initially, later
every day. (V.w145)
- Once the leverets start to move around, a larger cage is needed - a 4 ft x 2 ft cage lined with newspaper and hay has been used for Lepus europaeus - Brown hare
leverets. (W729.Dec08.w1)
- Initially a pet carrier or similar sized cardboard box. This can be
lined with a towel (not one which is fraying) or similar. (J311.7.w1)
- Give access to a larger area for exercise daily. (J311.7.w1)
- Provide hiding areas/nest boxes. (J311.7.w1)
- After weaning, use a solid-sided and solid-topped area (cloth can
be used to cover wire if the enclosure has wire sides). (J311.7.w1)
- A front-opening rather than top-opening area is recommended to
reduce jumping when the enclosure is entered by the caretaker. (J311.7.w1)
- Provide housing of at least four body-lengths of space: e.g. a large
pet carrier initially, with grass hay or soft cloth over newspaper as
bedding. (N35.12.w1)
- Provide natural light or light from a full-spectrum bulb. (N35.12.w1)
- From 2 - 6 weeks of age, give a space 18" x 18" x
12" high (45 x 45 x 30 cm) - (small enough to avoid problems
chasing the leverets to catch them for feeding); (N35.12.w1)
- At 6 - 12 weeks, an area 10 ft x 10 ft x 4 ft high (3m x 3 m x 1.2
m approx. (N35.12.w1)
- After 12 weeks old, moving into pre-release accommodation of 10 x
20 x 8 ft. (N35.12.w1)
- Based on Book Ref. 375 - Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation Third Edition
- Full text included
- For gregarious species (e.g. Lepus californicus
- Black-tailed jackrabbit), while neonates should be kept
separate, weanlings and older juveniles can be mixed. Youngsters of
different ages will sleep together, eat together and groom one another.
(N35.12.w1)
Heating
- Make sure that the ambient temperature in the room or shed is
adequate. If necessary (if the temperature is cold) provide additional
heating using a heat pad for controllable warmth; this may only be
needed at night, depending on the temperature. Hot water bottles can be
used but are not ideal; if used, they should be well wrapped in a towel.
Make sure the leveret can move away from the heat source to avoid
overheating. (V.w145)
- For Lepus europaeus - Brown hare
warmth may be provided by infra red light until 15
days old, depending on the ambient temperature. (J23.28.w1)
- Initially a heating pad can be placed at one end of the box, set
on a low heat; this may not be needed at higher ambient
temperatures. (J311.7.w1)
- Make sure no electrical wires, heating pads etc. are in reach of the
leveret(s) as
leverets will gnaw. (N35.12.w1)
Outside run
- Keep outside as soon as possible, in a secure run with netting no larger than one inch
(2.5 cm)
and a weatherproof box with dry bedding. The run should be moveable to provide constant
access to fresh grass. (B224)
- An outside run on grass can be made available after the first few days
(from about four days), weather permitting. The leveret can be left in this during the
day. There must be a shelter/cover such as a wooden box, and it is
important the the run is secure from predators such as cats - for
example weigh it down with bricks. (V.w145)
- Older leverets (from about a month old) can be left in an outside run
with attached hutch. A door to the hutch should be left open, providing
the leverets with access to both outside and inside areas at all
times. (V.w145)
- A dust bath - a turf of grass with some dry soil in a cat litter tray
- is appreciated by the leverets to roll in. (V.w145)
Milk replacer:
- Milk of lagomorphs is very high in dry matter, high in fat and low in carbohydrate. (P19.5.w5, B156.12.w12,
P3.1987.w3):
-
Lepus americanus
- Snowshoe hare: Energy 1.51 Kcal/mL, solids
26.3%, fat 11.2 %, protein 11.3%, carbohydrate 1.2%. (B468.8.w8d)
- Lepus europaeus - Brown hare: Energy 2.01
Kcal/mL. Solids 32.2%,
of which fat 46%, protein 31%, carbohydrates 5%. (P19.1.w5)
- Lepus timidus -
Mountain hare: Energy 2.92
Kcal/mL. Solids 40.0%, of
which fat 48%, protein 49%, carbohydrates 2%. (P19.51w5)
- Lepus timidus -
Mountain hare:
Energy 2.55 Kcal/mL, fat 19.3%, protein 19.5%, carbohydrate 0.9%. (B468.8.w8d)
- Lepus townsendii - White-tailed
jackrabbit: Energy 2.73 Kcal/mL. Solids 40.8%,
including fat 13.9%, protein 23.7%, carbohydrates 1.7%, ash 1.5%. (J34.17.w3)
- Suggested milk replacers include:
- Esbilac (Pet Ag). (B151,
J34.9.w1,
P3.1987.w3)
- Welpi (Hoechst UK Ltd.), mixed one part powder to two parts warm water, with
0.3 mL
multivitamins (Abidec, Parke-Davis) added once daily has been used for
Lepus europaeus - Brown hare
from about two days old. (J23.28.w1)
- KMR (Pet-Ag Inc, Illinois USA). (B156.12.w12,
N35.12.w1)
- Esbilac (Pet Ag), possibly with egg yolk to increase fat and protein, or with added
Multi-Milk (Pet-Ag, Illinois). (B156.12.w12)
- KMR or Esbilac (Pet Ag), possibly with added egg yolk (P19.1.w5),
or Multi-Milk (Pet-Ag, Illinois).
- Goats milk or lamb milk replacer. (D25)
- Cow's milk with added vitamins has been used successfully to rear
black-naped hare (Lepus nigricollis
- Indian hare) leverets. (J23.35.w2)
- Goats milk - fresh or fresh-frozen - for Lepus californicus - Black-tailed jackrabbit
leverets. (N35.12.w1)
- Ewe's milk substitute such as Lamlac, mixed as per the
manufacturer's instructions. (W729.Dec08.w1)
- Half cup canned evaporated milk, one egg yolk, half a cup water,
one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of Abidec baby vitamins.
Consider adding a little 90% protein powder. (B64.22.w8)
- 120 mL water, 120 mL canned evaporated milk, 15 mL Karo syrup
(used successfully for Lepus californicus
- Black-tailed jackrabbit). (B64.22.w8)
- Note: a probiotic (e.g. Avipro, Vetark Professional)
can be used mixed with the milk. This has been used as follws: Avipro
made up in solution to the required volume of water for feeding, then
this mixed with milk powder to make up the feeds for the day. (V.w145)
Utensils:
- Catac puppy or kitten bottle with small teat. (B151)
- Syringe and small rubber teat. (D24)
- Use a pet nursing bottle, or a 2 - 3 mL syringe. (W729.Dec08.w1)
- Use a "Catac" kitten teat on a syringe - initially a 1 mL
syringe, moving to a larger syringe (2 mL, 5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL) as the leveret grows and the
quantity of milk increases. (W729.Dec08.w1,
V.w145)
- Use of a syringe rather than a feeding bottle increases the care
taker's control over the rate of milk intake (B338.1.w1,
W729.Dec08.w1),
reducing the risk of milk being inhaled -which can lead to
inhalation pneumonia (Aspiration Pneumonia). (W729.Dec08.w1)
- Keep utensils clean and sterilise e.g. in boiling water. (V.w145)
Feeding Frequency:
Hare and Jackrabbit specific information:
In the wild, Lepus
spp. are fed only once daily. However, milk substitutes used for
hand-rearing are less concentrated than the milk produced by female Lepus
spp., and the volume which can be given at one time is limited by
the size of the leveret's stomach, therefore more frequent feeding may be
required. The ideal number of feeds per day might vary depending on the
milk replacer used.
- Three (W729.Dec08.w1)
or four (J23.35.w2)
feeds a day may be needed initially for the first few days (ideally only
to two or three days, but sometimes to five days). (J23.35.w2,
W729.Dec08.w1)
- Start feeding three to six times a day, reducing gradually so only
one feed a day is being given by weaning
at four to six weeks. (B284.10.w10)
- Twice a day (J23.35.w2,
W729.Dec08.w1)
or three times a day (J23.35.w2)
feeding after the first few days.
- Feed only twice a day, 12 hours apart initially. (J311.7.w1)
- Do not feed more than twice a day. (J311.7.w1)
- Once the leveret is eating solid food on a regular basis, reduce
milk to once daily. (J311.7.w1)
- Twice daily feeds only. (B151)
- Note: Lepus alleni
- Antelope jackrabbit have been noted to be markedly
nocturnal from as young as two days old, suckling well in the morning,
late afternoon and at night but refusing milk in the middle of the day.
(J469.424.w1)
Feeding Technique:
- When feeding very small neonates it is vital that the feeding technique used provides
milk at a sufficiently slow rate to minimise the risk of milk being inhaled with resultant
aspiration pneumonia. (V.w26)
Hare and Jackrabbit specific information:
- Make up the calculated required amount of milk daily. For each feed,
warm the amount of milk to be fed and preferably keep it art the
correct temperature during the feeding. Discard heated unused milk.
Discard unused mixed milk after 24 hours. (W729.Dec08.w1)
- Initially wear the same clothes, and use the same towel on your lap
during feeding, so the scent is familiar. As the leverets grow used to
the process, fresh towels etc. can be used. (W729.Dec08.w1)
- Place one hand over the leveret to restrain it during feeding. (B338.1.w1,
W729.Dec08.w1)
- Or cover the eyes with a hand or cloth; this appears to increase
the infant's comfort level, improving feeding. (B338.1.w1)
- Place the tip of the syringe (or the teat) into the corner of the
infant's mouth. (B338.1.w1)
- After each feed, wipe any milk formula off the infant's face. (B338.1.w1)
- Note: when feeding a litter, if they are eating green foods
(e.g. from 8 - 10 days in Lepus europaeus - Brown
hares), provide dandelion leaves, parsley etc. for the leverets
to nibble while waiting their turn to be fed. (V.w145)
Quantities:
Calculations:
- Energy requirement is approximately 2 x (70 x
(bodyweight kg)0.75) (i.e. 2 x basal metabolic rate - see Food and Feeding for Mammals
- Convalescent diets / Nutritional support). For a 30 g neonate this would be 10.1
kcal per day. (B338.1.w1)
- Energy intake (kilocalories per day) = 200-250 x weight(kg) 0.83. (P19.1.w5,
P3.1987.w3)
- Based on daily milk energy intake in nursing infants at the time
of peak lactation. (P3.1987.w3)
- Feed approximately 10% body weight per day, divided between the number of feeds
given. (J34.9.w1)
- The maximum amount (volume) that can be
given at any one time is determined by the stomach capacity. This is
100 - 125 mL per kg bodyweight (1 mL per 10 g bodyweight). [2002](B338.1.w1)
- A maximum of 50 mL per kg bodyweight at any one feed. [1984](J311.7.w1)
Practical feeding:
- Avoid overfeeding. The belly should be full and round but not
taut/distended after each feed. (J311.7.w1,
W729.Dec08.w1)
- Allow the leverets to take as much as they want at each feed
initially. (J311.7.w1)
- The belly should be round but not distended after each feeding. (J311.7.w1)
- Even very young leverets can be expected to take 6 mL at a feed. (J311.7.w1)
- Give a maximum of 50 mL per kg bodyweight. (J311.7.w1)
- Avoid overfeeding which is likely to lead to diarrhoea;
underfeeding is better than overfeeding. (J311.7.w1)
- Once the leveret is eating solid food on a regular basis, start
reducing the amount of formula fed, aiming to wean by three weeks of
age. (J311.7.w1)
- Start with 1 - 5 mL per feed in very young leverets (Lepus europaeus - Brown hare)
( feeding
three to six times a day). The volume given per feed increases gradually to
20 - 40 mL; maximum intake per day will be about 100 mL at 2- 3 weeks of age,
and intake then reduces. (B284.10.w10)
- Example for Lepus europaeus - Brown hare:
(W729.Dec08.w1)
- Days 1 - 3: 15 - 25 mL per day divided over three feeds (plus 1
mL Avipro probiotic). Weight about 100 g.
- Days 4 - 6: 25 - 40 mL divided over two feeds (plus 1 mL
Avipro probiotic). Weight about 160 g.
- Days 7-10: 40 - 55 mL divided over two feeds. Weight about 250
g.
- 11-18 days: 55 - 65 mL divided over two feeds. Weight about 330
g.
- 19-22 days: 65 - 90 mL divided over two feeds (fresh and dried
grasses etc. now being eaten). Weight about 425 g.
- 23 -24 days 55 mL in one evening feed only. Weight about 525 g.
- 25 - 26 days 85 mL in one evening feed only. Weight about
620 g.
- 27 - 28 days 90 mL in one evening feed only. Weight about 680 g
- 29 - 30 days: 70 mL in one evening feed only. Weight about 715
g.
- 31 days onward (weight about 765 g) milk reduced, offered in a
bowl to lap: 31-32 days 40 mL, 33 - 34 days 30 mL, 35 - 36 days,
20 mL, 37 - 38 days 10 mL, 39 days (weight 945 g) onwards no milk.
Reaching about 1140 g by 50 days (released).
- Example for black-naped hare (Lepus nigricollis
- Indian hare):
- Estimated 1 - 2 days old: 12 mL total feed volume per day. Weight
three days after arrival, 180 g.
- 11 - 15 days: 50 - 70 mL per day
- 16 - 20 days: 57 - 85 mL per day
- 21 - 25 days: 73 - 124 ml per day
- 26 - 30 days: 118 - 126 mL per day
- 31 - 35 days: 112 - 138 mL per day (body weight of about 750g)
- 36 - 40 days: 110 - 124 mL per day
- 41 days onwards: weaned. (J23.35.w2)
- Example for Lepus californicus
- Black-tailed jackrabbit. (B64.22.w8)
- Newborn, 2 mL per feed every 12 hours. (B64.22.w8)
- By day four: 15 mL per feed. (B64.22.w8)
Toileting/Elimination:
- Most infant mammals require gentle stimulation of the ano-genital area
(using e.g. a damp cotton bud, damp cotton wool or damp soft paper towel) in order to
urinate and defecate. This should be done when the animal is first presented and at every feed
until voluntary elimination is observed.
Hare and Jackrabbit specific information:
- Stimulation of the urogenital area to encourage urination and
defecation may not be required, but should be given to hand-reared
individuals. (B284.10.w10)
- It is often stated that toileting is not required for leverets. (J23.28.w1,
J23.35.w2, J311.7.w1)
- However, urination and defecation
should be monitored. (J311.7.w1)
- Note: in the wild, observation of Lepus europaeus - Brown
hares showed that females do lick their leverets and almost
certainly consume
their urine while they are suckling, for about four weeks of the nursing
period. Leverets were noted to turn onto their backs towards the end of
suckling and the female licked the genital area of each leveret. (J46.191.w1)
- Elimination should be encouraged when the leveret is first presented,
by gently stroking the genital area with a cotton wool ball damped in
warm water. (V.w145)
- Usually leverets will urinate during or after each feed. Monitor
urination and defecation.
- Damp patches from urination should be detectable on the towel
bedding. (V.w145)
- Faeces should appear as tiny black balls, getting larger as the
leveret grows. (V.w145)
- Changes in faeces are a sign of a problem - get veterinary advice
if they become yellow and runny, or if defecation stops. (V.w145)
- After each feed, wipe any milk formula off the infant's face. (B338.1.w1)
Weighing:
- If more than one infant is being reared in a litter, the infants may be
marked in a safe manner e.g. using small amount of a non-toxic coloured correction fluid
such as Tippex in order to allow individual identification and
monitoring. (V.w26)
Hare and Jackrabbit specific information:
- Food colouring, applied to the inside of the ear with a cotton tip,
can be used for identification of individuals in a litter. (V.w145)
- The leveret should be weighed daily to both monitor weight gain and
allow calculation of the quantity of milk to be given. (B284.10.w10,
W729.Dec08.w1)
- Accurate, regular weighing allows progress to be monitored
objectively and can give an early warning of problems. (B284.10.w10)
- Regular weighing is also needed to calculate the amount to be fed. (B338.1.w1)
- Later, weighing every second day is sufficient, but return to
daily weighing for more accurate monitoring for a few days during
major changes in routine such as reducing the number of feeds per day. (W729.Dec08.w1)
- In general, a steady weight gain should be sought. Occasional lack
of weight gain for 24 - 48 hours may occur; longer lack of gain is
abnormal. (B338.1.w1)
- A slight loss of weight (a few grams) may occur initially until
the leveret settles into feeding. (V.w145)
- If weight gain is inadequate, recalculate the caloric
requirements, check the infant's general health, and if problems
with weight gain recur, consider changing to a different milk
replacement formula for future rearing. (B338.1.w1)
- Also note body condition, which should be kept good or average. (B338.1.w1)
- Lepus europaeus - Brown hare
- Body weight increased 10-20 g daily to day 12 old, then
approximately 25 g daily to day 24 old. (J23.28.w1)
- Expect a 5 - 20 g a day weight increase, depending on age. (V.w145)
Weaning:
Providing caecotrophs:
Weaning foods
- Offer fresh grasses (from an area known not to be sprayed with
pesticides), forbs, apples etc. at all times from the first day. (J23.35.w2,
J311.7.w1)
- Introduce novel foods slowly. (J311.7.w1)
- Fresh green foods such as grass and broad-leafed flowering plants
(forbs) should be provided from an early age. This can be achieved by
placing the leverets outside in a run on a grassed area to graze, (B196,
J23.35.w2, J311.7.w1,
W729.Dec08.w1)
and/or providing appropriate green foods in the indoor box/pen.
- Fresh and dried grasses, forbs (broad-leafed flowering plants such
as clover, dandelions, local native vegetation etc.) and hay should
be offered. (B151,
B196)
- Offer a selection of green leafy vegetables plus grass hay, from
about five days old. (B338.1.w1)
- Make sure grasses and other wild plants are taken from an area
which is known not to have been sprayed with pesticides. (J311.7.w1)
- Offer green food finely chopped initially to make it easier to
eat, since it is not anchored as growing green food would be. (B338.1.w1)
- Access to grazing can be provided in a wire-bottomed run which prevents access by
vermin and predators, and with provision of protection from the weather from an early
age. (B196)
- Grazing or grass and clover may eaten by as early as one week old along with green
plants such as dandelion leaves, plantain, green lettuce, sowthistles; offer milk for
lapping by three weeks and thicken with baby cereal by four weeks. Consumption of milk is
likely to cease by five to six weeks old. (B224)
- Grass, dandelion leaves/flowers, parsley and thyme can be provided; Lepus europaeus - Brown
hares start to nibble green food from about 8 - 10 days. (V.w145)
- Other foods which have been offered to successfully-reared leverets
include:
- Carrot (B196,
N35.12.w1)
- Not recommended; too high in sugars. (B338.1.w1)
- Apple (B196)
- Not recommended; too high in sugars. (B338.1.w1)
- Oatmeal (N35.12.w1)
- Green lettuce e.g. romaine lettuce. (N35.12.w1)
- Green leafy vegetables. (N35.12.w1)
- Grains. (B196)
- Wholemeal bread. (B196,
N35.12.w1)
- Milupa infant foods (fruit varieties). (J23.28.w1)
- Provide water in a shallow, heavy bowl. (B338.1.w1,
J311.7.w1, N35.12.w1)
- Place the bowl against a bush, box or
other large object to reduce the risk of it being spilt. Do not
place the bowl against the side of the enclosure, as leverets tend to
run along the sides. (N35.12.w1)
- Consider the normal habitat: desert-living jackrabbits should obtain
most of their moisture from food, rather than from water. (N35.12.w1)
- Make soil available. (J23.28.w1,
V.w145)
- Wild hares have been seen eating soil, possibly for minerals. (N35.12.w1)
Reducing provision of milk:
- Once leverets are eating solid foods, start reducing the amount of
formula provided. (N35.12.w1)
- Black-naped hare (Lepus nigricollis
- Indian hare)
- Began eating solid food at about 10 - 12 days old (estimated). (J23.35.w1)
- By 31 - 33 days old, about 150g/day of grass and forbs (herbaceous
flowering plant other than a grass) eaten
- Hares (data from Lepus europaeus - Brown hare):
- Small amounts of e.g. grass may be eaten from as early as nine days old.
- A variety of foods are taken
readily from 11 days old. (J23.28.w1)
- Milk consumption may continue to e.g. 36 days old.
- Leverets should be housed in an outside run by 21 days old. (J23.28.w1)
- (J23.28.w1)
- Grass eaten by about 10-12 days old and by a Lepus
nigricollis nigricollis - Black-naped hare leveret.(J23.35.w2)
-
Offer grass and forbs from arrival, although these may not be eaten at all until the
orphan is about 10 days old. (J23.35.w2)
Release:
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