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While discovering ants in your rabbit’s hutch might be terrifying, in most circumstances, it’s not that big of a concern. For this article, I performed a lot of research to enhance my own personal bunny knowledge, and I’ll reveal what sorts of ants are genuinely harmful for rabbits, as well as how to get ants from a rabbit cage.
Let’s go right to the point, shall we?
Are Ants Dangerous To Rabbits?
In general, most species of ants aren’t a threat to rabbits. The vast majority of outdoor ant species aren’t dangerous to bunnies, and even those that are really don’t pose a threat to your pet’s safety. Poisonous ants and swarming ants are the two main characteristics of deadly ant species. These ants are quite rare.
Ants found in the home are not harmful and do not form swarms.
Three of the most frequent types of ants seen inside homes are the Carpenter Ant, Odours House Ant, and Pavement Ant. There is no threat to pet rabbits from any of these ant species.
While certain ant species are known to be deadly to rabbits, the mass of the ants would just inflict discomfort and stress if they had been actually bit.
Even the Bullet Ant, which gets its name from its excruciatingly painful bite, would not endanger a rabbit.
‘Siafu, the African ant, could easily kill a rabbit,’ on the other hand (and even humans). Several of the most toxic and dangerous ants can only be found in Africa or Australia.
Red or Fire Ants, which may be observed in several regions of the world, including the United States, are the most prevalent deadly ant.
Can Fire Ants Kill Rabbits?
Several incidences of rabbits being killed by red fire ants have been recorded from around the United States and the world. As many as a thousand bites in a short amount of time is not uncommon for fire-ant-infested areas, which is why they are harmful.
Outside rabbits are the only ones at risk from these ants, although the risk is actually rather minimal. Despite the fact that fire ants are ubiquitous in the Midwest of the United States, my family has kept outside rabbits for years without incident.
Red fire ants prey on young rabbits, so keep an eye out for them.
“When they are born, newborn bunnies can’t move, are barely furred, and are coated in mucus that fire ants can detect,” Elizabeth Forys who is an environmental scientist at Eckerd College has remarked. “Rabbit mothers can’t lift their kids by the scruff of their necks and transport them. As a result, when the ants migrate in, the baby rabbits are attacked and finally eaten.”
Red ants may be seen in the video below attacking a litter of rabbits. Despite the fact that the bunnies appear to have been spared, you may want to think twice before watching this video.
It’s important to note that red fire ants aren’t merely a threat…