Species Spotlight: Eastern Cottontail
Looks Like: The Eastern Cottontail has long ears and speckled brown-gray fur with reddish-brown fur around its neck and shoulders. These rabbits have lighter fur around their noses and undersides, including their “cotton ball” tails.
Lives In: Eastern Cottontails live on the fringes of open spaces like fields, meadows and farms, but can adapt to other habitats. They will also take cover in old burrows made by other animals, like woodchucks.
Niche: The Cottontails browse at night on grasses and herbs and are fond of garden vegetables like peas and lettuce. They will also eat bark, twigs and plant buds. Raccoons, foxes, hawks, owls, crows, snakes, and opossum with predate on the Eastern Cottontail.
Threats: Eastern Cottontails are plentiful and there are no known threats.
Frequency: As their name suggests, Eastern Cottontails are common in the United States from the East Coast to the Great Plains.
Reproduction: These rabbits breed frequently, having up to six litters a year with up to nine young per litter. The female will make a shallow nest in the ground and line it with plants and fur from her belly.
Fun Fact: If spotted by predators, Eastern Cottontails will run in a zig-zag pattern, reaching speeds up to 18 miles an hour. They can also leap distances of up to 15 feet.
