Wild rabbit as a pet

Question
Dear Dr. Krempels,

As my father was mowing the lawn two young rabbits ran out of a rabbit hole. I was going to catch them but he told me not to. Just then he saw another rabbit in the hole. So I ran to grab a clean bucket to catch him/her with. My father said that I could keep him/her so I looked up directions on how to care for him/her. The only things that I am left wondering are how I know if it is a boy or a girl, how to tell how old it is, and what to feed it.

Please respond as soon as possible.

Signed,
Bunny Lover

Answer
Dear Yolanda,

Please release the bunny.  Wild cottontails are not good pets, and they really can go nuts in captivity.  It's likely that this is a baby who still needs mother's milk, and it will die if you keep it.  

Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/wildbabies.pdf

for instructions on releasing the baby.  Please do not keep it.  Wild rabbits do not thrive in captivity, and domestic rabbits can't live in the wild.  If you want a bunny as a companion, then please visit:

www.rabbit.org/chapters

to find your local rabbit rescuer who can help you find the perfect companion.  Leave the wild baby wild.  Please do not risk killing it because you want to keep it captive as a pet.  This is a terrible fate for a wild rabbit.

Do the right thing.

Dana