Cottontail Rabbits

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Subclass	Theria
Order	Lagomorpha
Family	Leporidae
Genus	Sylvilagus

Scientific Name

Sylvilagus nuttallii

Common Name

mountain cottontail

Compiled by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University:

(Sylvilagus spp.)

Hosts

Many types of small coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs. Willows, poplars and fruit trees are often favored.

Damage and Diagnosis

Rabbit damage.

Cottontail rabbits feed on and can destroy many different garden plants and trees. During winter, cottontails will eat buds, twigs and bark of fruit trees, willows, junipers and many other woody plants. Succulent shoots of young trees are also browsed by rabbits, clipped at snow height. Rabbit damage is characterized by a sharp, clean 45̊ angle feeding cut. When there are lots of rabbits, other signs, including round droppings and footprints, can be used to separate rabbit injury from that of other gnawing mammals, such as voles and squirrels. At least three species of cottontails occur in the region. The eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is generally most abundant east of the Rockies, although other species occur in the West. Cottontail rabbits prefer to nest in areas with brush or other cover, and landscaping of developed neighborhoods is ideal for this activity. Cottontails are rarely found in dense forests or open rangeland. In open areas of the plains, jackrabbits (species of Lepus) may predominate. Jackrabbits are not particularly damaging to trees but may cause other damage when drought or overgrazing force them into yards and gardens. At elevations above 8000 feet, the snowshoe hare can be common. Trees and other woody plants make up a high percentage of their diet, particularly in winter.

Among the woody plants most frequently damaged by rabbits are most rose family plants (including apple, raspberries, cherry, plum, mountain ash), basswood, red maple, honey locust, oak, willow, sumac, and dogwood. Planting favored garden plants such as tulips, peas, beets, carrots and beans near valuable woody plants may invite damage to the latter. Garden plants least favored by rabbits include corn, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.

Cottontail rabbits are cat-sized mammals with long, generally erect, ears. Their hind legs are enlarged for jumping. They have large eyes and short, thick coats of hair.

Life History and Habits

Despite the well-known exploits of Peter Cottontail (actually a European hare), cottontail rabbits do not dig underground nests. During warmer months, they form shallow hollows in dense vegetation for cover; for winter protection, natural cavities or burrows are used. Cottontails typically produce two to three litters per year and each litter contains about three to five young. The young rabbits can leave the nest about three weeks after birth and are sexually mature within a few months. Populations can increase rapidly when food is abundant. Cottontails do not hibernate and are active throughout the winter. They can walk on snow and feed on plants at the level the snow cover allows.

Management

In most of the region, cottontail rabbits are classified as a game animal. As such, they fall under regulations of state wildlife agencies, which generally restrict hunting and trapping to specific seasons, requiring a license. However, exemptions may be granted by these state agencies for rabbits that are damaging property.

Biological Controls

Rabbits are preyed upon by many animals in the wild, including owls, foxes, snakes and hawks. Rabbits also succumb to various diseases. Cottontail rabbits rarely live for more than fifteen months under natural conditions. In areas of dense human habitation, house cats are important predators, feeding on young rabbits in nests. Dogs will also deter rabbits from roaming in yards, although they rarely kill them.

Cultural Controls

Rabbits tend to avoid open areas where they are particularly vulnerable to predators. Keeping areas mowed and landscaping plans that provide open areas will deter rabbits. Removal of brush piles and other dense, protective cover will eliminate sites where rabbits hide and nest.

Mechanical Controls

Rabbits are easily excluded from gardens by fencing. A 2-foot-high chicken wire fence, buried shallowly in the soil, can prevent most rabbits from entering gardens during the summer. Plastic tree wraps are commonly available and will generally provide control for 3 to 5 years. Also, flexible polypropylene netting (many styles and generally called “rabbit guards”), galvanized poultry wire and even aluminum foil provide a barrier to rabbit feeding on trees and shrubs. They are most commonly used for seedling plantings. Experience has shown rabbit guards to also reduce tree damage from deer, grasshoppers and blowing sand. Holes in any type of barrier should not be larger than 1/2 inch to exclude small rabbits.

Repellents

Various types of odor repellents marketed as animal repellents, such as naphthalene moth balls, are not effective for rabbit control outdoors. Taste repellents, usually involving the fungicide repellent thiram, are effective for preventing rabbit feeding. However, thiram is a toxic material to other mammals, such as humans, and cannot be applied to plants that are to be eaten.

Traps

Rabbits can be trapped easily in box live traps baited with apples, carrots, ears of corn or cabbage. Traps should be placed close to areas of cover used by rabbits.

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.