Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum Common Name: Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Classification: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Lagomorpha Family: Leporidae Genus: Sylvilagus Species: floridanus Museum Location: Northern Illinois Exhibit Description: Eastern cottontail rabbits have long ears and a short, fluffy tall. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs with hind feet that are significantly larger than the front feet. The upper body is usually reddish brown with the underparts white, including the underside of the tall. There is a rusty colored patch on the nape of the neck and often a white spot on the forehead. Eastern Cottontails usually weigh from 2 to 4 pounds and have a total length of 12 to almost 20 inches. Habitat and Range: The eastern cottontail rabbit occupies a large area of the eastern United States. It is found in heavy brush, in woodland areas near open country, in cultivated fields, and along swamp edges. Diet: The eastern cottontail is an herbivore. It eats a variety of different plants including grasses, clover, fruits and vegetables. In the winter it eats the woody parts of plants like the twigs and the bark of brambles, birch, oak, dogwood and maple trees. Behavior: The eastern cottontail rabbit is mainly nocturnal but may be active from early evening to late morning. It usually spends its day in a depression in the ground or beneath a pile of undergrowth. It does not live in burrows, although in cold weather it may find shelter in another animal's abandoned burrow. When the ground is covered in deep snow, it makes a network of runs beneath the surface. The eastern cottontail rabbit is not a territorial animal; its range of 1,000 to 8,000 square feet overlaps with the ranges of other rabbits. When pursued by an enemy, it usually runs in circles, often jumping sideways to avoid leaving a scent trail. Communication: Rabbits use the thumping of their hind feet as a warning signal to alert other rabbits of danger. In addition, they use grunts, cries, or squeals. Reproduction: Breeding occurs from March through early fall. Females do not dig their own nest burrows, but rather scratch out a slight depression in the ground in an area of dense grass for concealment. The nest is lined with fur and dry grass. The gestation period is about 28 days. There are usually two to four litters per year with about three to eight young per litter. Young rabbits are born blind, naked, and helpless but grow rapidly, leaving the nest after only two to three weeks. They are weaned and totally independent at four to five weeks. On the average, 15% of the young will survive their first year. Adults are usually solitary by nature except when a female is caring for its young. Species Status: The eastern cottontail rabbit is not endangered. It is the most widely hunted game animal in the eastern U.S. Interesting Facts: Only 15% of newborn rabbits survive and rarely live beyond three years in the wild. The eastern cottontail can reach running speeds of up to 18 miles per hour.