Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) (J. A. Allen, 1890)

 

 

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Sylvilagus floridanus is widely distributed in the Americas, where it ranges from southern Canada to northern South America (Colombia and Venezuela) (Map); introduced in New England, the West Coast, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, and Italy. Eastern Cottontails mainly inhabit edge habitats in temperate and tropical areas, including woodlands, swamps, second growth, shrubby areas, meadows, hedgerows, pastures, and suburbs. These rabbits are buff-brown with black-tipped guard hairs, a rufous neck patch and a short, fluffy tail, white on the underside. They measure 34-49 cm in length, and weight 800-1,500 g. Three or four litters a year on average (3-10 young per litter). The altricial young are born in a hollow lined with grass and fur, usually under a shrub or a clump of grass. They wean after 16-22 days. This species does not dig burrows, but may use burrows of other species, e.g., Woodchuck (Marmota monax), for temporary shelter. S. floridanus feeds on herbaceous plants, including introduced grasses (Poa, Phleum, Digitaria, and Elytrigia spp.), clover (Trifolium spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), etc. Northern populations subsist on twigs, bark and buds of woody plants in the winter.

 

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