The other day, something quite unexpected happened in my yard. I usually leave out dry mealworms for the Eastern Bluebirds nesting nearby. After placing a handful on a brick, I witnessed a Cottontail Rabbit hop up and devour every last one. This wasn’t the first time, either—it’s the second time I’ve caught this furry forager indulging in a snack that’s rather unusual for its species.
Is This Normal Behavior?
Intrigued by this strange sight, I did some research to see if it’s common for rabbits to eat mealworms. While it’s not typical, it turns out it’s not entirely unheard of either. Here’s a deeper dive into what I found out:
The Cottontail Rabbit’s Natural Diet
Cottontail rabbits are primarily herbivores. Their diet mainly includes:
- Grasses and sedges
- Leafy plants, herbs, and forbs
- Twigs, bark, and buds (especially in winter)
- Fruits and berries
- Garden vegetables (when available)
Rabbits have a digestive system that’s finely tuned to process plant material, allowing them to efficiently break down and absorb nutrients from a high-fiber diet. They even practice coprophagy, re-ingesting their feces to maximize nutrient absorption from their food.
Why Would a Rabbit Eat Mealworms?
While dried mealworms are not part of a rabbit’s natural diet, there are a few reasons why a Cottontail might indulge in such a snack:
- Opportunistic Feeding: Wild animals sometimes eat unusual foods if they’re readily available and seem appealing.
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Nutritional Deficiency: In rare cases, animals might seek out atypical food sources if they’re lacking certain nutrients.
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Curiosity: Young or inexperienced rabbits might sample various items in their environment out of curiosity.
Should You Be Concerned?
Although seeing a rabbit eat mealworms is odd, it’s unlikely to cause immediate harm if it’s just a one-time snack. However, mealworms are high in protein and fat, which aren’t essential for a rabbit’s diet and should not become a regular part of their meals.
Conclusion
Witnessing this unexpected behavior was a fascinating reminder of how adaptable and curious wildlife can be. While cottontail rabbits are naturally inclined to munch on plants, they might occasionally surprise us by trying something new. Still, it’s best to stick to their natural diet to keep them healthy and thriving.
Happy photographing and observing,
Steve Creek
Glad you found the rabbit eating something strange and checked out the information as to why. I learned something different today. Once in a while I will have a little bunny in my yard. I put the mealy worms in my feeder, so have to see if I can get a rabbit to eat some. I have to keep the furry squirrels away from it as I think they eat them too.
I have a bunch of Squirrels so I need to see if they will eat mealworms.