Survival Techniques of a Cottontail Rabbit

Cottontail rabbits are named for the puff of white fur under their tails that resemble cotton. The eastern cottontail is the most common species and lives in a variety of habitats, preferring woods or meadows, but also can adapt to urban areas. The cottontail ingests leafy plants and other plant matter, and will be very happy with a treat of fruits or vegetables. While is it unusual for wild rabbits to live more than one year, their survival tactics are impressive.

  1. Nocturnal Activity

    • Cottontail rabbits do most of their search for food under the cover of darkness, when they are less likely to be seen by predators. As their diet consists of common plants and is fairly varied this is easy for them to do, even in the dark.

    Hiding

    • During the day, cottontails like to hide under vegetation to avoid predators. Thorny or particularly thick vegetation is their favorite, as this can provide additional protection.

    Speed and Jumping

    • In addition to being able to jump up to 8 feet, a cottontail rabbit is amazingly fast. If they feel threatened by a predator, they will run up to a speed of 60 to 75 kilometers per hour. They also can change direction in an instant, which is useful for confusing their enemy.

    The Nest

    • Since bunnies are born with no hair, the mother has an important task in building the nest. She lines it with leaves, grasses and her own fur to keep the babies warm. To protect young from predators, the mother stays far from the nest, returning only twice per day, at dawn and dusk, to avoid attracting enemies.