00:00you see them in your yard in parks and by the roadside but have you ever wondered exactly
00:05what's on the menu for an eastern cottontail rabbit it's more diverse than you might think
00:09these rabbits are strict herbivores and crepuscular meaning they are most active and eating at dawn
00:16and dusk their diet changes dramatically with the seasons don't forget to subscribe to the channel
00:21and turn on the notification bell so you don't miss any new updates during the lush spring
00:27and summer months their menu is green and leafy they focus primarily on tender grasses clover and
00:34a wide variety of broadleaf weeds like dandelions and planet contrary to cartoons wild carrots are
00:41not a staple their digestive systems are built to process high fiber vegetation as autumn and winter
00:47arrive the greens disappear and the cottontail must pivot to survive their winter diet is tough they
00:54rely on woody vegetation the tender bark twigs and buds of young trees and shrubs such as sumac
01:01maple and apple trees they will also eat dry fallen leaves when desperate understanding this natural
01:08diet helps preserve wild populations if you want to support wild cottontails the best way is not by
01:15feeding them human scraps but by planting and maintaining native grasses shrubs and brush piles
01:21for them to browse naturally enjoy watching them forage it's how nature intended
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