Rabbit Scrapes

[Bigears49]

Why do rabbits 'scrape'? We are staying on a heathland in Suffolk and are surrounded by rabbit scrapes. What is the benefit to the rabbit? Territorial marking? Digging for roots? Boredom?

[RATTER15]

Eating roots I think.

[woofgang]

They also use them for shelter I think.

[RATTER15]

woofgang, I may be wrong but I think Bigears is talking about the little divets they dig all over the grassland, usually about 3 inches across and an inch deep.

Well that's what I assumed anyway.

[Chipchopper]

Probably an element of truth in all those this that you mention, Bigears.
Hare's also do this rather than burrow and they are called 'Forms'

[wildwood]

I presume the feeding roots of trees are the most nutritious ones. I also think that maybe they can smell the fungal spores of toadstools and have a dig to see if something yummy is sprouting just under the surface.