Can rabbits be bitten to death by rats?

Asker: dorian, 11 years old

Answer

Dear Dorian,

It is indeed possible that rabbits are killed by rats. Brown rats can act like formidable ‘robbers’, effectively killing animals that are a lot bigger than themselves.

In addition, there are in principle also other options, depending on the situation, e.g. in terms of location or security of the loft (the mesh size of the bar,…). There are, for example, the different species of mustelids that may also be able to enter a rabbit hutch (weasel, ermine, polecat, stone marten, feral ferret,…). Free-running rabbits can also be killed by a fox, domestic cat or dog,… on rare occasions also by an escaped raccoon,…

Best regards,

Koen Van Den Berge

Answered by

Koen Van Den Berge

distribution and ecology of mammals in Europe / fauna management

Can rabbits be bitten to death by rats?

Institute for Nature and Forest Research
Kliniekstraat 25 1070 Brussels
http://www.inbo.be

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