Cottontail Rabbit Characteristics

The genus sylvilagus, or cottontails, has 17 living species of rabbit, all of which are found in the Americas. Cottontails are small rabbits recognizable by their fluffy, ball-like tails. All species of cottontail are commonly hunted both as food and for their skins, and farmers and gardeners often consider them pests.

  1. Physical Description

    • Cottontail rabbits range from reddish-brown to gray in color and grow to an average length of 15 to 18 inches, depending on the species. These rabbits have round bodies with compact, powerful legs. Their rear legs are longer than their front legs, their ears are long and often rounded, and their eyes are large. These adaptations are for predator defense. The distinctive, cotton-ball-like tail is most noticeable when the rabbit is running, as the pure white underside shows visibly as the rabbit strides.

    Habitat and Range

    • The various species of cottontail range from southern Canada through the eastern United States and down to the northern parts of South America. Different species prefer different habitats, ranging from wetland swamps for species such as the swamp rabbit to deserts and hardwood forests for the eastern cottontail. Some cottontails are shy and stay away from urban areas, but a few species have adapted to living on the fringes of populated areas. Cottontails spend much of the day hiding in underbrush or in hollows beneath trees.

    Diet and Predators

    • Cottontails are seasonal eaters, feeding on leafy fresh greens, grasses, herbs and fruits during the summer months. As the weather becomes colder, the rabbits start to eat more fibrous foods such as tree bark, twigs and buds. These rabbits are all nocturnal, feeding at night to avoid predators. Cottontails all have poor digestive systems and will often eat their own waste to avoid missing vital nutrients. In addition to turning up on human dinner tables, these cottontails are a common food for a variety of U.S. predators including foxes, bobcats, cougars and coyotes.

    Life Cycle

    • Cottontails live a solitary lifestyle, and they meet up only to mate. The breeding season varies depending on species and region. The rabbits court by chasing each other around and sparring in a playful manner before mating. Gestation for most species is around a month, with up to 12 offspring per litter. Most cottontail species can breed multiple times each season. Young rabbits become independent just over a month after being born. Predators and human hunting mean that most wild rabbits do not live much more than a year.