Cottontail Rabbits, Cottontail Rabbit Pictures, Cottontail Rabbit Facts

Photo: A desert cottontail rabbit sits quietly through a snowstorm

Ubiquitous throughout North and South America, cottontail rabbits, including this desert variety, are noted for their fluffy "cotton" tail.

Photograph by Joel Sartore

Map

Cottontail Rabbit Range

Fast Facts

Type:: Mammal
Diet:: Herbivore
Average life span in the wild:: Less than 3 years
Size:: 15.5 to 18.75 in (39.5 to 47.7 cm)
Weight:: 28 to 54 oz (800 to 1533 g)
Size relative to a tea cup:

There are several species of cottontail rabbit, but the eastern cottontail is the most common. This ubiquitous animal can be found from Canada to South America and, in the United States, from the East Coast to the Great Plains. Cottontails range from reddish brown to gray, but all feature the distinctive "cotton ball" tail for which they are named.

These rabbits seek out habitat on the fringes of open spaces, such as fields, meadows, and farms, but can adapt to other habitats—including those of humans.

They browse at night on grasses and herbs and are fond of garden fare such as peas and, of course, lettuce. In winter, their diet becomes a bit coarse and consists of bark, twigs, and buds. During the day, cottontails often remain hidden in vegetation. If spotted, they flee from prey with a zigzag pattern, sometimes reaching speeds of up to 18 miles (29 kilometers) an hour.

Females give birth in shallow ground nests, to young so helpless that perhaps only 15 percent survive their first year. Fortunately, rabbits breed three or four times every year and produce three to eight young each time. Young rabbits mature quickly and are self-sufficient after only four or five weeks. They are sexually mature after only two or three months, so populations are able to grow with staggering speed.

Cottontails are plentiful and can be problematic for farmers; they are also a popular game animal.

Mammal Videos

More Small Mammals

Mammal Features

Animal Conservation

Find out what National Geographic Society is doing to save animals all over the world, and learn what you can do to help.
Crittercam Helps Study Rare Species

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the oldest species of seal on the planet. But their tenure in paradise is perilously close to its end; only about 1,100 seals remain in the wild.
Lions Quiz

The king of cats rules with a roar and a fierce bite. What else do you know about this top predator?
Cause an Uproar

Big cats are quickly disappearing. Now is the time to act. Cause an uproar to save big cats today.

Please select a test to run

On Nat Geo WILD

TV Schedule »

Animal News

Animals

Animal News

Special Ad Section

From the Magazine

Gannets Pictures

Champion divers but clumsy landers, doting parents but hostile neighbors—northern gannets abound in contradictions.
Estonia's Ural Owls

Photographer Sven Začek provides an intimate view of this large raptor.