When rabbit are nabbed by a predator they keep screaming until they weaken
and are finished off. Coyotes, at least, share their food in a family group
so there's no big fight while the rabbit sneaks off. The "bigger predator"
theory is possible but most mammalian predators, other than coyotes, are
very cautious. It takes a lot of calling to bring in a bobcat or a bear.
(Chris' remark about Cooper's & Sharp-shinned Hawks responding to squeaks
is interesting; maybe they're more fearless than the mammalian predators.)
Since the rabbit cries don't scare off the predator or bring other rabbits
to the rescue, so I have to think it's sheer terror.

Herb Curl


h.curl at hazmat.noaa.gov "You may be only young once but you can be
Hazmat/NOAA, 7600 Sand Pt. Wy., NE immature the rest of your life."
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