Cottontail Rabbits - Habitat
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Picture source:
Chicago Wilderness © 1999-2002
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Cottontail Rabbits play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance in the area. In places, where population of Cottontails is high, there is always a considerable concentration of foxes, badgers and other predators that are valuable for their fur. However, for gardeners, flower keepers and farmers, Cottontails are pretty much of a nuisance. They eat so many plants that it is easier to count up the sorts of plants that they do not eat.
Agricultural lands provide ample feeding conditions for Cottontails. If you live in an area with high population of cottontails, you should modify the area in such a way as to provide a healthy environment for rabbits at a decent distance from your residence. It is possible to create brush piles on boundaries between woods and fields. Evergreen groves are perfect for Cottontails because dry fallen needles and thin branches are an excellent material for nest building. Building fencerows is also efficient.
There are many ways to scare off rabbits. Some farmers buy brightly colored balloons, install something like scarecrows or stretch water hoses across the yard to imitate snakes. Those means are effective for short periods of time, but eventually rabbits get used to them and they are no longer afraid of them. Ornamental trees and flowers should be fenced off with 1-inch wire mesh.
Trapping them may also be effective. There are different types of traps on sale. They should be disguised properly, because a small receptacle is likely to scare away a jackrabbit. Captured rabbits should be taken several miles away and released. The use of toxicants or repellents is not hailed. Shooting of Cottontail Rabbits is only possible in those states where it is permitted by law.
Rabbits - Cottontail Rabbit Habitat Links
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Picture source:
MassWildlife
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Control of Rabbits and Hares - A brief review of distribution and impact.
Controlling Nuisance Cottontail Rabbits - Fencing off, trapping, hunting and using rabbit repellents. Which is more efficient?
Cottontail Rabbit - History of hunting and trapping.
Cottontail Rabbit Hunting - General description of the Cottontail Rabbit.
Cottontail Rabbits - Controlling rabbits in the landscape
Cottontail Rabbits: Garden Pests? - Click and learn more about Cottontail Rabbits and about how to live with them if the place is highly populated with them.
Cottontails - California's rabbits need your help today.
Cottontail Rabbits - Gardening at BellaOnline - If you are planning to keep a garden, read and learn something about how to coexist with nuisance Cottontails.
Hunting In Lancaster County - Quail, Ruffed Grouse, Cottontail Rabbits, Snowshoe or Varying Hare - all there is to know for hunters.
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Picture source:
Kates Index
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ICWDM: Problems and Solutions - Identification and behavior of rabbits.
Land Management for Cottontail Rabbits - This information will definitely prove useful for farmers setting up in areas with high population of Cottontail Rabbits.
Landowner's Guide: Eastern Cottontail Rabbits - Here are some basics on the species and on how to handle them.
National Forests & Grasslands in Texas - 2003-2004 wildlife and recreation information for the national forests & grasslands in Texas.
Nuisance Animal Management - What should we do if wild animals get "too close"?
Wildlife Damage Control - Destructive wildlife.
Rabbit Quiz - Go and check up on your knowledge and add some more!
Rabbits in the Low Desert - Means of protection against Cottontail Tyranny.
Rabbits Service - Cottontails in Northern Virginia.
Species-Specific Management - Building brush piles.
Wildlife Management - Cottontail Rabbit management procedures and general information.
