Cottontail Rabbits

There are 13 species of cottontail rabbits. The eastern cottontail is the most predominant of the species, covering a wide range in the United States, southern Canada, eastern Mexico and Central America.

Identifying a rabbit

Their short, fluffy white tail that resembles a cotton ball easily identifies cottontail rabbits. They have large hind feet, and long ears. Jackrabbits look much like the cottontail except they are larger and have longer ears in comparison. Cottontails have dense fur, which varies in color from reddish-brown to grayish-brown. In the winter, fur may be more gray than brown.

Damage

In the spring and summer months; gardens, commercial fields and plantations offer a wonderful selection of vegetation to satisfy their tastes for vegetables, fruit and a wide variety of flowers. This can result in moderate to extensive damage depending on the population of cottontails in the area. In the winter, when lush vegetation is scarce, they depend upon eating young trees, shrubs and girdling of large trees. This damage does not usually extend more than 2 ½ feet from the grounds surface and can be identified by clean, angled cuts and droppings nearby.

Life Cycle

The eastern cottontail mates between Feb and Sept. The gestation period is only 28 days with a litter size of 3 to 8 young. Cottontail rabbits reproduce at an extraordinary rate due to their breeding habits. They will breed 2 to 4 times a year, often, just hours after giving birth!

Baby rabbits are born blind and furless. Although small and vulnerable to prey, they grow very quickly, leaving their nest in just a few weeks. Young rabbits are completely weaned and independent at 4 to 5 weeks old. They are ready to mate in just 3 months, growing the population significantly in a short span of time.

Habits

Cottontails do not dig their own burrows, but rather use natural cavities or burrows created by other animals. If adequate shelter is unavailable, they will create a slight depression in the ground or grass by scratching the grounds surface, preferring dense grass for protection from prey and extreme weather.