Breeding Habits of Cottontail Rabbits in Texas

There are several species of cottontail rabbits found in Texas. The Eastern cottontail, or Sylvilagus floridanus, is the most common. Cottontails are characterized by a weight of about 3 lbs., brown color, light buff to white belly and a cottony white tail.

  1. Breeding Season

    • Cottontails breed less often in cold weather.

      The breeding season of cottontails is influenced by environmental factors that affect the growth of vegetation; temperature, length of daylight and rainfall. In Southern Texas, the breeding season for cottontails lasts all year long. Further north, typical cottontail breeding season begins in late February with activity falling off in September.

    Reproductive Maturity

    • Baby cottontails are born naked but grow a soft, baby coat of hair within a few days. After weaning, which takes about four to six weeks, cottontails go through their first molt and the baby coat is replaced by an intermediate coat. At three to five months, the coat changes again to a regular adult molting pattern. Reproductive activity in the cottontail is tied to the onset of the adult molt.

    Mating Behaviors

    • Male rabbits, or bucks, mate with multiple females. The female, or doe, raises her young alone. Cottontails usually mate after dark and engage in a form of mating play called "cavorting." A mating pair can be seen chasing each other, sparring with their forepaws, leaping in the air or engaging in actual fighting before eventually mating.

    Gestation and Litter Size

    • Cottontail bunnies strike out on their own at about 7 weeks of age.

      The typical cottontail gestation period is 27 to 30 days; longer gestation periods may mean larger litters. Litters of four to six bunnies are common. A single doe can produce anywhere from two to six litters per year. Bunnies are weaned and leave the nest by about seven weeks of age. A cottontail doe may mate again shortly after littering and will be nearing the end of the gestation period for her second litter as the first litter is leaving the nest.