Rabbit Information
Rabbit information websites usually feature information on the Eastern Cottontail, as it’s the most common rabbit species in North America. The scientific name of the species is Sylvilagus floridanus, Order Lagomorpha, Family Leporidae. These animals are 12 to 20 inches in body length. They weigh 2-3 pounds. The coat color of the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit is gray or rusty brown with a whitish underside and a reddish patch on the neck and a white spot on the forehead. The ears of the Eastern Cottontail are long; the tail is white, short and fluffy. The hind legs of Eastern Cottontails are long and very strong to help them escape predators.
Numerous websites with Rabbit information provide quick facts on the life cycle of these animals in the wild. Rabbits are solitary and very territorial. They are active at night or at dusk and spend the daytime in a shelter hiding from predators. When running from a predator, Rabbits are able to leap at 10 to 15 feet and run at a speed of 15 miles per hour. They can stand on their hind legs to watch for foxes, coyotes, weasels and birds of prey (hawks and eagles.)
The mating season of the Rabbit starts in spring and continues till the end of summer. Females are able to give birth to several litters a year while it’s warm. There are from 1 to 9 babies in a litter. At about 7 weeks of age, young Rabbits leave the nest. In many websites containing Rabbit information you can find out that this species is common throughout its range.
Don’t take bunnies home from their natural habitat, if you notice them in the nest with no mother around. Normally, female Cottontail Rabbits come to feed their bunnies at night and leave them alone in the daytime. Only specially trained rehabbers can take care of orphaned rabbits and release them back into their habitats. If you find injured, cold, or dehydrated bunnies in the nest, don’t try to feed or cure them, but take them to a vet or Wildlife rehabilitator. Rabbit information found on the web is of no use when taking care for orphaned bunnies.
