The Drought and the Bunny Potential

Here in our part of Iowa we have been enduring a cold snap since the last snowfall several weeks ago. The coldest night so far was 20 degrees below zero. The drought continues, with that previous snow being about the only measurable stuff we have had so far this winter. Large cracks in the soil have appeared all over our yard, it is so dry. The Old Farmers Almanac is predicting a warmer and wetter spring this year. We are hoping they are right. We are back up to at least two rabbits again as I have spotted them together in the driveway and the yard. Curious about gestation and liter sizes I consulted Wikipedia, which told me “The rabbit gestation period is short and ranges from 28 to 36 days with an average period of 31 days. A longer gestation period will generally yield a smaller litter while shorter gestation periods will give birth to a larger litter. The size of a single litter can range from four to 12 kits allowing a female to deliver up to 60 new kits a year. After birth, the female can become pregnant again as early as the next day.” We might just be in for a whirlwind of baby bunnies out here again. Finally, on kind of a strange note, we found a mouse in a trap in the garage upside down and backwards from how they are usually found. Meaning the mouse was on its back with the tail in the bait. This led to some speculation as to what in the world that critter was doing just before the fatal moment. Some things are best left undiscovered.