What type of predator takes fur off a wild rabbit?

[animals1981]

A pet cat would be my best guess. I have one that loves skinning rabbits. It's awful and we've had to put more than one out of it's misery.

did your cats catch large adult rabbits also?

 

[Conan]

did your cats catch large adult rabbits also?

Yes. All sizes. I once had a tiny female cat that regularly hunted full sized rabbits. I am in Washington state, though, so our wild rabbits are on the small side.

 

[shannon84]

Mine did too! He would catch huge rabbits and pack them around. I couldn't believe my eyes

 

[shannon84]

It may not be a predator. Was blood present? When they are making nests they pull their own fur, they do shed fur to make thicker/thinner coats.

No blood at all. I was reading that online too, people finding hair like that and them finding a nest close by...

 

[drumstick diva]

Never saw rabbits fighting and hope I never do. We used to have tons of rabbits every where you looked, they have been mysteriously missing for several years. I was guessing coyotes or fox, we have both - but, also everyone with a cat lets it loose and boy there are some big ones.

 

[aart]

We used to have tons of rabbits every where you looked, they have been mysteriously missing for several years. I was guessing coyotes or fox, we have both - but, also everyone with a cat lets it loose and boy there are some big ones.

Same here!
Where are you located @drumstick diva ?
There were more fox and coyote the first year.....but now not many of those.

 

[NewBoots]

Never saw rabbits fighting and hope I never do. We used to have tons of rabbits every where you looked, they have been mysteriously missing for several years. I was guessing coyotes or fox, we have both - but, also everyone with a cat lets it loose and boy there are some big ones.

My favorite campground used to have chipmunks, and couple kinds of squirrels that you could watch if you were quiet and sat still for a bit and the meadows near the restrooms were a favorite place for the cottontails to graze on the grass at night. But the last time I was there not any of the small critters were to be seen. The ranger said it was the feral cats.

 

[shannon84]

Never saw rabbits fighting and hope I never do. We used to have tons of rabbits every where you looked, they have been mysteriously missing for several years. I was guessing coyotes or fox, we have both - but, also everyone with a cat lets it loose and boy there are some big ones.

I live in southern Indiana and my backyard stays infested with wild rabbits, when I had a cat I think he cleaned them all out BC we stopped seeing them, after he passed away a year later we started seeing them like crazy again! I always wonder if thats why I don't have predator problems with my chickens, do you think they are feasting off the wild rabbits instead of attempting to get into my chicken run and coop? I couldn't tell you the last time I seen a predator in my yard. Knock on wood

 

[shannon84]

My favorite campground used to have chipmunks, and couple kinds of squirrels that you could watch if you were quiet and sat still for a bit and the meadows near the restrooms were a favorite place for the cottontails to graze on the grass at night. But the last time I was there not any of the small critters were to be seen. The ranger said it was the feral cats.

I totally believe that! Cats seem to love killing rabbits.

 

[MROO]

A pet cat would be my best guess. I have one that loves skinning rabbits. It's awful and we've had to put more than one out of it's misery.

A domestic (or feral) cat was my first thought, too. Cats will play with a bunny until it's bald, given half a chance!