Some rabbits live in underground burrows, but most wild rabbits in the United States do not. The common eastern cottontail rests above ground and only digs a shallow hole to give birth. The rabbits famous for tunnel networks are European rabbits, the ancestors of pet rabbits, and they are not native to North America.
Here is how it breaks down.
Quick answer by rabbit type
| Rabbit | Lives in a burrow? | What it uses instead |
|---|---|---|
| Cottontail (most US wild rabbits) | No, not usually | Surface depressions, brush piles, borrowed burrows |
| Pygmy rabbit (western US) | Yes | Digs its own burrows under sagebrush |
| European rabbit | Yes | Warrens: networks of connected burrows |
| Pet (domestic) rabbit | Not needed | Needs a safe enclosure or indoor space, plus a place to hide |
Do wild rabbits in the US live in holes?
Cottontails: surface resting spots and borrowed shelter
If you live east of the Rockies, the rabbit in your yard is almost certainly an eastern cottontail. Despite what many people assume, cottontails don’t dig their own burrows. They use natural cavities or burrows that woodchucks and other animals excavated. Brush piles and similar cover often serve in place of burrows. psupsu
Day to day, cottontails spend most of the day resting in a “form,” a well-worn depression on the ground’s surface. Maryland’s wildlife agency also notes that they tend to rest in shallow, scratched-out depressions in the grass rather than burrows. farmanddairymaryland
The one time a cottontail digs is when she’s ready to have babies. More on that below.
Pygmy rabbits: the exception
The pygmy rabbit of the sagebrush country in the western US is different. It is the only rabbit in North America reported to dig its own burrows, which are extensive, with several interconnected chambers and multiple entrances, usually at the base of large sagebrush. Note that sources are not unanimous. Some also count Mexico’s volcano rabbit, so check the wording if you cite this claim. animaldiversity
Where European rabbits live: warrens
The picture changes completely for the European rabbit, the species all domestic breeds descend from. In the wild it often lives in groups around a burrow system with many entrances, known as a warren. It is the only rabbit or hare species known to form stable social groups. nihnih
This is the source of the “rabbit hole” image most people have. It’s also why many people assume all rabbits live this way. In North America, most rabbits you’ll meet outdoors simply don’t.
Is that hole in your yard a rabbit’s?
Often, no. Burrows with a large, open entrance are more likely from a groundhog, skunk, or similar animal. A rabbit may use an abandoned one, though. What you may be looking at instead is a rabbit nest.
What a rabbit nest looks like
- Shallow and small. One source describes it as about the size of a clenched fist, slanting roughly 6 inches into the ground. farmanddairy
- Lined with fur. The mother plucks fur from her belly and covers the opening with grass, so it’s hard to spot from above. farmanddairy
- Often in open lawns. It can look like a patch of dead grass or a small divot.
Seeing no mother nearby is normal. She doesn’t stay with the babies and only drops by a couple of times a day to feed them. The young leave the nest after only 2 to 3 weeks. annarborobserverct
What to do if you find one
- Leave it alone. If a nest is moved even a few feet, the mother may abandon it. torontowildlifecentre
- Keep dogs leashed and cats indoors near the area until the babies leave.
- If you disturbed it, the recommended step is to cover it back up and leave. psu
- Delay mowing that patch for a few weeks.
- If a baby is clearly injured, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your state rather than handling it yourself.
Do pet rabbits need holes?
Why pet rabbits dig
Pet rabbits don’t need a hole to live in, but many still want to dig. Domestication is recent in evolutionary terms, so a pet rabbit’s behavior is still much like a wild rabbit’s, which helps explain housing problems. Wild rabbits retreat into burrows at the slightest alert, so domestic rabbits need either a refuge from disturbance or a calm environment where a refuge isn’t needed. faofao
In practice, that means digging at carpet or in the garden, and a strong need for a place to hide.
Safe ways to meet the digging instinct
- Offer a digging box (a sturdy box of rabbit-safe material such as shredded paper or untreated hay).
- Provide hiding spots such as a cardboard box with two openings or a hideout.
- Make sure the enclosure is large enough for movement. You can check your setup with the rabbit cage size calculator.
- If rabbits go outdoors, the enclosure should be predator-proof, including the floor. Rabbits can dig out, and predators can dig in. Ask a rabbit-savvy vet or the House Rabbit Society for current guidance on outdoor setups, as I haven’t verified specific measurements here.
Conclusion
So, do rabbits live in holes? European rabbits do, in warrens. Pygmy rabbits do too. The cottontails most Americans see mostly don’t. They rest above ground, borrow shelter when needed, and dig a small nest only when raising young. Pet rabbits don’t need a burrow, but they do need safe cover and a way to dig.
FAQ
Do rabbits dig holes in yards?
Cottontails mostly don’t dig burrows, but a mother may scratch out a shallow nest. Larger holes are more often from groundhogs, moles, or other animals.
Do rabbits sleep in holes?
Cottontails typically rest in surface depressions. Rabbits in warrens (European rabbits) do use burrows.
What is a rabbit hole called?
A single burrow is a burrow. A connected network is a warren.
How deep is a rabbit nest?
One source puts it at roughly 6 inches deep and fist-sized (see above). Treat that as approximate.
Will a mother rabbit return if I touched the nest?
Touching the babies briefly doesn’t necessarily cause abandonment, but moving the nest can. Cover it again and watch from a distance. If unsure, call a wildlife rehabilitator.
