Cottontail rabbit

Cottontail rabbits are in the <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> Sylvilagus, which is in the family <a href="/facts/Leporidae/W7lQhmTc">Leporidae</a>. They are found in the <a href="/facts/Americas/hEuUTL4K">Americas</a>. Most Sylvilagus species have stub tails with white undersides that show when they retreat, giving them their characteristic name. However, this feature is not present in all Sylvilagus, nor is it unique to the genus. However their fur ranges from brown to gray and changes throughout the year, depending on the season.
The genus is widely distributed across <a href="/facts/North_America/djNjCQIl">North America</a>, <a href="/facts/Central_America/CXKgTuxC">Central America</a>, and northern and central <a href="/facts/South_America/PhrFEMk7">South America</a>, though most species are confined to particular regions. Most species live in nests called forms, and all have <a href="/facts/Altricial/C8JqqyaX">altricial</a> young. They often live on the edges of fields, farms, and other open spaces far from highly populated areas. But sometimes they make their nests in yards and parks near more people. An adult female averages three litters per year, which can be born in any season. Occurrence and litter size depend on several factors, including time of the year, weather, and location. The average litter size is four, but can range from as few as two to as many as eight, most of whom do not go on to survive to adulthood. Females typically have three litters per year and can begin reproducing when they are only six months old.
Cottontail rabbits show a greater resistance to <a href="/facts/Myxomatosis/whdRexmF">myxomatosis</a> than <a href="/facts/European_rabbit/fPkGSd2x">European rabbits</a>.

Cottontail rabbit open-in-new

Cottontail rabbit