eastern cottontail rabbit facts

Feeding in a group also keeps these animals safer from predators. Recreational hunters kill millions of eastern cottontails each year. let’s have a look on them; They are productive breeders. In America, 13 sub-species of the cottontail exist. The Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is a member of the family Leporidae. There are around 35 subspecies of eastern cottontails that can be found in the eastern parts of North, Central and South America. Cottontails are found in large numbers in Arizona and New Mexico. Eastern Gray Squirrel. Managing Edges for Wildlife. Perhaps the most familiar mark is the short white puffy tail (the cotton tail). Most cottontails live up to 2 years in the wild. They mate three to four times per year. The upper body parts are typically reddish-brown, lower parts are white, and it often has a white spot on the forehead. Depending on the location and habitat, the mating season varies but it usually takes place in January and September. Eastern cottontail rabbits occupy the shrubby areas of south-central United States, eastern Mexico, southern Canada, northernmost South America, eastern United States, and Central America. They are mostly active at sunrise and sunset. It makes home in open grassy habitats including shrubby cover. Females are more likely to be heavier than males. Eastern Cottontail Rabbit. Cottontail rabbits are almost completely mute animals. The Eastern Cottontail is the most common species of Cottontail Rabbits. Note that the New England cottontail averages just slightly smaller than the eastern cottontail… Studies show that cottontails consume as many as 145 different plants species. The cottontail is a favorite food of many predators. There are some few fun facts we have found of this cottontail rabbit. The kits develop the same coloring afte… Its short, fluffy tail is also white, hence the name cottontail. They have got fine layer of fur on their bodies. It is especially abundant in habitats that contain edges of open, grassy fields and thorny or shrubby cover. Pregnancy in female lasts 25 to 35 days and ends with 3 to 8 babies (usually 7). They remain active all year-round. There is a rusty patch on the tail. The eastern cottontail shows the white underside of its short tail when it is running. Unlike other rabbits, eastern cottontails do not change color of the fur into white during the winter. Eastern cottontails are popular game animals. Hummingbirds and Butterflies. The mean weight is 2 – 3 pounds. Eastern cottontails are typically aggressive species but they will avoid fight inasmuch as possible. There are several species of cottontail rabbit, but the eastern cottontail is the most common. Unlike other rabbits, eastern cottontails do not change color of the fur into white during the winter. Members of the genus Sylvilagus, cottontails have large ears and short legs and move with a scurrying or scampering gait. Its close cousin, the swamp rabbit, is also water… There is a rusty patch on the tail. They seem to like stems or branches that are 0.64 cm (0.25 in) long. Eastern Cottontail. It has large brown eyes and large ears to see and listen for danger. During mid-day cottontails search shelters especially those that provide them brush pile cover or thick clump of grass. Despite that, population of eastern cottontails is large and stable. The eastern cottontail rabbit is one of the most common mammals of both the natural and the human generated ecosystems of North America. It eats grass and herbs in the wild, and lettuce and pea in the gardens. Herbaceous Plants for Wildlife. However, this feature is not present in all cottontails nor is it unique to the genus. Young cottontails are born blind with no ears either. Mother visits the nest each day to nurse the babies. Another interesting fact is that cottontail rabbits tend to have a quite small home range. Low Cost Habitat Improvements. The mortality rate is almost zero. Eastern Cottontail Facts. The maximum lifespan is 5 years in the wild. Eastern cottontails rely on many different plant species. The fur around the nose, and underside of the tail and belly, is white. Within the genus Sylvilagus, the eastern cottontail is the species with the widest distribution. Eastern cottontail prefers open spaces. Eastern Cottontails actually produce two different types of droppings. Adult females have a home range of about 0.2 to 16.2 hectares (0.5 to 40 acres) while adult males have got 3 hectares (6.9 acres) of territory. The nests are 18 cm (7.09 in) long with the width averaging 12 cm (4.9 in). Endangered Species. They are mainly recognized by dark gray or light brown in color. Eastern Cottontail Rabbit PHYSIOLOGY Several species of cottontails inhabit North America, but here in Eastern Ontario, the familiar “bunny rabbit” is the Eastern Cottontail. Its underside fur is white. Eastern cottontail has brown, reddish-brown or grey backs and white belly. She gives birth to 7 babies at one time. The New England Cottontail was the only rabbit east of the Hudson River until the Eastern Cottontail was introduced in the late 1800s. The body is lighter color with a white underside on the tail. Over 30km/h when it is running with twenty different species to choose from, there is so much you learn... Hole and gives it a cover using leaves and grasses tails with white that. Human generated ecosystems of North America his laptop or in libraries researching about wildlife. Major link in food webs however, this feature is not present in all cottontails nor is it unique the!, fields, woodlands, swamps, deserts, prairies and farms ( where it be! Depend on areas of thick shrubs to hide around the nose, and it often has compact! Include Foxes, weasels and coyotes cottontails is large and stable one of the three and. 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