Cottontail Rabbits - General Behavior
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Picture source:
Alabama Wildlife Federation
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Cottontail Rabbits are most active at dawn or at sunset. This is the best time to study them. They have long ears therefore they can perceive faint sounds. On hearing something unusual, a cottontail rabbit stands suddenly still, without the slightest movement. Cottontails exchange information by pounding their hind paws on the ground. Large eyes allow cottontails to scan a wide range of territory.
A Cottontail rabbit makes an almost human baby-cry sound if hunted or hurt by a predator. When nursing the young, they make low frequency grumbling sounds. Generally they are not too aggressive, but if they fail to escape from the enemy, they can fight by using their sharp incisor teeth, claws and hind legs on the enemy. Fights also occur between rabbits in a case whereby one intrudes a territory that is controlled by another, or when a female attacks an alien rabbit in order to drive it away from the young.
Cottontail Rabbits - History
Rabbits have been populating the American continent since prehistoric times. Ancient skeletal fragments are still being found. Prehistoric people fed on rabbits. But the population was not high during that period. The increase in Cottontail population started with deforestation, which forced many predators to move away triggering rapid growth of shrub and grass.
From the beginning of the 19th century and through, and into the 1920s, the continent was abounded by the Cottontail. Since the advent of agricultural machinery and pesticides, the number of rabbits is starting to decline. Reforestation also has contributed to the decline of Cottontail Rabbits.
Cottontail Rabbits - General Information Links
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Picture source:
Jesses Hunting and Outdoors LLC © 1998-2003
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All About Rabbits - Rabbits, English Spot Rabbits, Lionhead Rabbits, Cottontail Rabbits, Mini Lop Eared Rabbits, Himalayan and normal rabbits. Discover where to find good breeders. Learn about the different colors rabbits can be.
allRefer Reference - Cottontail Rabbit - This site contains facts on anatomy, characteristics, species, habitat, habits, diet, ecology, rabbit fever, distribution, and behavior of the animals, including hares and rabbits.
allRefer Reference - Wildlife: Eastern Cottontail Rabbit - Learn details on fire effects, taxonomy, wildlife distribution, animal habitat, ecosystems, food habits, and wildlife occurrence. Common name is Florida Cottontail.
Animal Diversity Web - Desert or Audubon's Cottontail - Animal resource provides the facts on this rabbit family member. Obtain the official classification, or learn about behavior and reproduction.
Animal Diversity Web - Eastern Cottontail - Learn about this common species of rabbit, found in most parts of the Americas. With a profile of the animal's habitat and effects on society.
Animal Protection Institute - Residential poisoning of Cottontail Rabbits banned in Orange County.
Cats & Rabbits & More - Rabbit Information - All breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. What breed is my rabbit?
CentralPets.com - Central Rabbits Page - Polish breeders! List your critters in our free classified. Giant Chinchilla, Standard Cinnamon Cottontail, Desert Cottontail, Eastern Dutch.
Cottontail - Pictures, Breeders, Babies - Click here to see all the pictures! Do you want to add your pet to one of these pages? Check out our other animal picture sites!
Cottontail Fact Sheet - Wildlife in Connecticut.
Cottontail rabbit - Encyclopedia article about Cottontail Rabbits.
Cottontail Rabbit by Vishal - Distribution, feeding and reproduction.
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Picture source:
Larissas Bunny Guide © 1999-2004
Larissa(Lara)
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Cottontail Rabbits - Thorough description, specific care and breeding information.
Cottontail Rabbits at Nature Haven - Some interesting facts about Cottontail Rabbits.
Cottontail Rabbits in Massachusetts - Why are Cottontail populations changing?
Desert Cottontail - Cottontail Rabbits - Description, life history, habitat and more information.
Cottontail Rabbits - Desert Cottontail - Texas Parks and Wildlife profiles this native animal species. Gaze at a photograph, or learn about the creature's habitat and distribution.
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit - General Information.
Cottontail rabbits - Endangered Species List - Small-footed Bat Myotis leibii, New England Cottontail, Sylvilagus transitionalis, Harbor Porpoise - historical New York breeders no longer breeding here. Endangered species.
Mammals of Texas - Desert Cottontail - Fact sheet provides a photo and describes this mammal's habits, breeding, and diet.
Mammals of Texas - Eastern Cottontail - Learn about this mammal's physical characteristics, habitat, and food. Includes a photograph.
Nature of New England - Eastern Cottontail - Presents a photo of this mammal and offers links to facts about its behavior, habitat, and reproduction.
Nature of New England - New England Cottontail - Provides a photo of this mammal. Browse links to learn details of its behavior, habitat, and reproduction.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission - Cottontail Rabbits - State agency provides a summary of this rabbit's distribution, habitat, food, reproduction, and mortality rates.
Rabbit Links - Clubs and breeds.
Cottontail Rabbits - Other Rabbits sites
Rabbits Bunnies - Rabbits, or as a popular slang term goes, bunnies, are lagomorphs, the family of Leporidae. Leporids belong to the most familiar mammals. Rabbits have a black to buff coat, white belly and a short upturned tail. Long ears and long hind legs are the physical characteristics by which rabbits are recognized. Their large ears help them detect danger. Eyes are adapted to nighttime activities. Each foot has five toes and hair-covered cushions with soles. Rabbits are cute fluffy creatures that need plenty of your love and care. All rabbits are adapted for quick movement and hopping. They can run very fast to escape danger.
Leporidae lagomorphs
Rabbits - There are vast numbers of breeds of rabbits on the planet. They are kept for meat and fur, commercial purposes, research and for fun. In the UK, rabbit shows take place on most weekends, which allows visitors to come and watch and possibly to decide which breed to choose for further keeping.
Rabbits vary in coat color. It is impossible to confine rabbits' coat color to one particular combination. They may be gray, white, brown or spotty. Generally rabbits are referred to as domestic animals. There are, however, species that are considered to be a part of wildlife, such as Cottontail Rabbits, which are found in Maryland and which are sometimes sheer trouble for local farmers. But even wild species of rabbits can be domesticated easily.
Dwarf Rabbits - Dwarf rabbits are the most adorned species by pet lovers. Their funny behavior and miniature size excite interest of children. They are often brought home as Christmas presents. As they grow they develop remarkable intellectual abilities, like trying to find a passage to favorite their shelter when the usual one is somehow blocked. Dwarfs are easily trained to use a toilet. They can open doors and wait in due time for the owner to return home.
There are several breeds of Dwarf rabbits. These are: The Netherland Dwarf, the Holland and English Lops, the Mini-Rex, the Jersey Wooly and the Polish Dwarf. All Dwarf rabbits are submissive, kind and easy to care for them. However, there is a reasonably good deal regarding care tips for potential owners to learn beforehand.
Rabbits Breeders - Domestic Rabbits are very popular nowadays in the USA and many other countries. Breeders create new breeds and improve the conformation and health or existing breeds, so everybody can choose the pet according to his/her liking. Breeds differ by size, body structure, fur texture, ear shape, and coat length and color. According to the fur type Rabbits are subdivided into 4 groups: angora (with long and floating coat), satin (with shining coat), rex (with short velvety coat), and multi-colored (with several coat colors).
Rabbits Pictures - Oryclolagus cuniculus is the scientific name for rabbits. Oryct stands for 'digger', lag means 'hare' (Greek). Cunniculus is Latin for burrowing. The etimology underscores rabbits' kinship with hares.
Initially rabbits were mostly found as wild animals in Spain and Portugal, as well as in North West Africa. It was not until the 11th century that they were brought to England. Since then rabbits were kept for meat and fur. In the 19th century, they obtained the status of domestic animals.
