Run, Rabbit, Run

[Way Back Jack]

Someone must have put a package of Viagra in the briar patch. Bunnies are everywhere this year. Talking about the Eastern cottontail. Everytime you look out the window, there are bunnies. It's a plague. Even the fat, lazy, neutered, elderly cat was able to catch four or five of them this spring. They don't really do any harm. They're not bothering any of the old lady's flowers. The only crops they've ever attacked were certain types of lettuce and I stopped growing lettuce many years ago.

[Suzanne D.]

Do rabbits really need Viagra?

--S.

[Bill who putters]

Only if their arteries are closing.

Bill

[Pat Kiewicz]

Bunnies

The cute little bastards are methodically working their way through my asters and balloon flowers. And my fancy orange coneflower has dissappeared!

Should have broken out the Liquid Fence a little earlier.

[KC]

are everywhere this year. =A0

Coyotes kept our Alabama local population down for many years but this year I'm seeing cottontails all over the place. Guess they're breeding faster than the coyotes can catch them.

[basilisk]

Coyotes kept our Alabama local population down for many years but this year I'm seeing cottontails all over the place. Guess they're breeding faster than the coyotes can catch them.

That's a fact, I have seen more rabbits and young squirrels this year than I can ever remember.

basilisk

in the middle of AL

[KC]

Probably due to Al Gore messing with the weather.

KC also in the middle of AL

[basilisk]

Probably due to Al Gore messing with the weather.

KC also in the middle of AL

I'm about 20 miles south of Tuscaloosa, glad to hear there are neighbors about.

basilisk

[basilisk]

The lower end has had it rough from hurricanes for years, starting with frederick in '78. It's hard to imagine the past beauty of the lower end looking at it now. It is still a nice place to visit.

basilisk

[Steve Peek]

Used to vacation in Baldwin county every year until the hurricane took out the state park pier. Steve

[Suzanne D.]

Coyotes kept our Alabama local population down for many years but this year I'm seeing cottontails all over the place. Guess they're breeding faster than the coyotes can catch them. _________________

I've often been criticized for allowing my female cat to have kittens now and then, by people who are concerned that domestic cats are a danger to the local wildlife. I hear stories about how cats sometimes kill rabbits, and how terrible this is for the poor little rabbits. I think there are certain cases where a couple of hungry outdoor cats could actually help, and this situation would be one of them.

--S.

[KC]

[KC]

I'm about 50 miles south of you.

KC

[KC]

I agree. But wildlife follows a food chain, and the cat that catches a rabbit is itself a favorite catch for the coyote. I believe it all balances out in the end unless man intervenes and tips the scale.

KC

[Billy]

I'm sure the animal shelter is full of cats that would love to chase rabbits.

[Suzanne D.]

They ought to set some of them loose in the gardens.

--S.

[Suzanne D.]

I agree. But wildlife follows a food chain, and the cat that catches a rabbit is itself a favorite catch for the coyote. I believe it all balances out in the end unless man intervenes and tips the scale. _________________

Yeah. That's why we take care of our pets, but accept that sometimes they will not have the same lifespan as pets who are inside all their lives. With freedom comes reality.

--S.

[KC]

I have 2 unclaimed cats that consider my backyard part of their hunting territory. We have an agreement - they keep the critters out of my garden and I don't notify the animal control folks. They've upheld their part of the bargain except for the mole that's giving me fits - they just don't want to get dirty digging him out.

KC

[Suzanne D.]

I love a good farm cat for clearing out the critters. My cat is always fat in the summer, and she brings extras for me. I should find a recipe for partly masticated rodents.

--S.

[Jeff]

I see cats catch moles, but I've never seen one eat one, apparently they aren't very tasty. Mice are next down on the list. The perfect cat food appears to be chipmunks. Everything else falls in the middle ground and appears to be acceptable eating.

Jeff