You can estimate the age of a baby rabbit by observing its physical development and behavior, which change distinctly over the first weeks of life:
- Newborn (0-1 week) : Hairless, eyes and ears closed, very small and fragile. Belly skin may be translucent due to lack of fur. They rely entirely on their mother for warmth and feeding
- 1-2 weeks : Fur starts to grow, eyes open around days 10-12, ears still mostly down. They begin crawling but are not yet hopping
- 3-4 weeks : Fully furred, eyes open and active, ears start to stand up. They begin hopping and exploring, starting to nibble on solid food around 12-14 days
- 4-6 weeks : More independent, eating solid food regularly, ears mostly upright, playful and active. Size increases significantly but varies by breed
- 8 weeks and beyond : Resemble small adult rabbits, fully furred, independent, and eating a full diet of hay, pellets, and vegetables
Additional clues include size comparisons (e.g., smaller than a golf ball or egg indicates very young), behavior (hopping and exploring means older than 3 weeks), and physical traits like ear position and fur texture
. Because growth rates vary by breed and individual, combining multiple indicators-fur, eyes, ears, mobility, and feeding behavior-gives the best age estimate. For precise assessment, consult a veterinarian
. In summary, the key milestones are:
- Hairless and eyes closed: 0-1 week
- Fur growing, eyes opening: 1-2 weeks
- Fully furred, ears rising, hopping: 3-4 weeks
- Eating solids, active, ears up: 4-6 weeks
- Small adult form: 8 weeks and older
This progression helps you tell how old a baby rabbit is with reasonable accuracy
