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Nobody messes with this cottontail. An incredible video posted on YouTube has gone viral of a mother rabbit defending her babies from a snake.

Watch: Mother rabbit fiercely defends her babies from snake


Leeanna McLean
Digital Reporter

Friday, June 26, 2015, 12:39 PM - Nobody messes with this cottontail.

An incredible video posted on YouTube has gone viral of a mother rabbit defending her babies from a snake.

The video shows the mother rabbit returning to her nest to find a large black snake curled up on top of her young. As the snake tries to escape, the rabbit attacks, kicking it several times. Although the snake tries to leave, the mother continues to chase it.

Although they seem cute and cuddly, “these are not timid little animals,” Dana Krempels, biologist at the University of Miami told National Geographic. Krempels has rescued and rehabilitated rabbits for 30 years.

Mothers can be quite heroic and very protective when defending their babies.


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Krempels noted the goal of chasing the snake was to hurt it and make sure it didn’t come back.

Baby rabbits are unable to open their eyes for almost a week after birth, according to National Geographic, making them vulnerable to predators.

A mother rabbit will often hover around the nest to prevent predators from attacking.

Most baby rabbits are forced to flee their nests in as few as 10 to 12 days because of predators, according to National Geographic.

At the beginning of the video, you can hear a live baby making a little squeaking noise, which is an alarm call, Krempels told National Geographic. The call for help brings out the protective instinct in female mammals.

Sources: YouTube | National Geographic

Related video: Massive rabbit found 

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