Desert Cottontail
The Desert Cottontail is a species of rabbit native to the deserts and grasslands of the western United States and Mexico. It is a vital part of its ecosystem, as its presence provides food for a variety of predators, including coyotes, foxes, and birds of prey. It is a herbivore that feeds on a variety of plants, including grasses and cacti.
Desert Cottontail
Classification
Mammalia > Lagomorpha > Leporidae > Sylvilagus > S. audubonii
Native To
Conservation Status
Average Height
12 - 15 inches
(30 - 38 cm)
Average Weight
1.5 - 3 lbs
(0.7 - 1.4 kg)
Average Life Span
1 - 2 years
Gestation Period
25 - 28 days
Did You Know?
The Desert Cottontail is a small rabbit native to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
They are known for their distinctive "cotton" tail, which is fluffy and white underneath.
Desert Cottontails are herbivores, primarily eating grasses, weeds, and cacti.
They are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk.
To escape predators, Desert Cottontails can run in a zigzag pattern at speeds up to 20 miles per hour.
They often build shallow depressions called "forms" in dense vegetation to rest and hide.
Female Desert Cottontails can have several litters of kits (baby rabbits) each year.
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