cotttontails

Cotton tails, commonly referred to as cottontails, are a group of medium-sized New World rabbits in the genus Sylvilagus. They are named for the distinctive white, fluffy tail that resembles a cotton ball when they dart away.

Distribution and habitat: Cottontails are native to North America and occupy a range of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, brushy edges, and wetlands. Well-known species include the Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), the Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), the Mountain cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii), the swamp rabbit (Sylvilagus aquaticus), and the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis).

Physical description: They have compact bodies, short ears, strong hind legs, and soft fur that is brown to gray. The most conspicuous feature is the white under-tail, which is visible when alarmed or running.

Behavior and diet: Cottontails are herbivorous and most active at dawn and dusk. They feed on grasses, leaves, buds, bark, and crops. Reproduction is rapid, with multiple litters per year; gestation lasts about 28 to 32 days, producing 3–6 altricial young per litter.

Ecology and conservation: Predators include foxes, coyotes, raptors, and snakes. Population trends vary by species and region; habitat loss has reduced some populations, notably the New England cottontail, which is of conservation concern in parts of its range.

Relation to other mammals: Cottontails, like other lagomorphs, are in the family Leporidae. They differ from true hares in reproductive and developmental traits, and from rodents in anatomy and diet.