ExploreMammals

Eastern Cottontail

Sylvilagus floridanus

The Eastern Cottontail is a fluffy rabbit with big ears and a cute cotton-like tail. They love to hop around in gardens and fields, munching on grass and veggies!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Eastern Cottontail has soft, brownish-gray fur with a distinctive fluffy white tail that resembles a cotton ball. Its underside is light gray to white, and it possesses large eyes and prominent ears. Its earth-toned coat helps it blend into natural surroundings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderLagomorphaFamilyLeporidaeGenusSylvilagus
Eastern Cottontail
furry trait badgesocial trait badgeburrowing trait badgegrassland trait badge
Eastern Cottontail

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Wow! A cottontail can jump an impressive 15 feet in a single powerful bound!

Wow! Cottontail teeth never stop growing, so they constantly gnaw to keep them short!

Wow! Each year, a female cottontail can have up to seven litters of baby bunnies!

Wow! They eat their own special poop, called cecotropes, to get extra nutrients!

Special abilities

Ability

Zigzag Escape Artist

Eastern Cottontails can run in unpredictable zigzags that help them confuse and escape from chasing predators.

Ability

Super Sense Hearer

Eastern Cottontails have large, swiveling ears that help them pinpoint predator sounds from a distance.

Ability

Camouflage Cloak

Eastern Cottontails have earth-toned fur that helps them blend perfectly into their habitat, avoiding detection.

Measurements & details

Length
38-48 cm
Weight
0.8-1.5 kg
Lifespan
2-5 years
Top Speed
29 km/h
Litter Size
1-8
Gestation
28-30 days

Diet & Feeding

These herbivores munch on various plants, like grasses, leaves, and twigs, to get all their energy.

Age differences: Young kits drink mother's milk, then slowly transition to solid plant foods.

Primary Foods

  • Grasses
  • Clovers
  • Dandelions
  • Tree bark
  • Alfalfa
  • Twigs

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Cottontail Rabbit

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a rabbit, watch quietly from a distance. Don't try to touch or chase them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Eastern Cottontail?

38-48 cm

How much does Eastern Cottontail weigh?

0.8-1.5 kg

How long does Eastern Cottontail live?

2-5 years

How fast can Eastern Cottontail move?

29 km/h

What does Eastern Cottontail eat?

These herbivores munch on various plants, like grasses, leaves, and twigs, to get all their energy.

Where is Eastern Cottontail usually found?

Grasslands

How does Eastern Cottontail hunt?

Foraging

How many babies does Eastern Cottontail usually have?

1-8

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Where to spot

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