# Marsh Rabbit (*Sylvilagus palustris*) The Marsh Rabbit is a small, fluffy rabbit that loves to live in wet areas like marshes and swamps. They have big ears and a short tail, making them super cute and fun to watch! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Marsh Rabbit](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Marsh_Rabbit.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tomfriedel, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marsh_Rabbit.jpg) ## Appearance The Marsh Rabbit is a medium-sized rabbit with short, rounded ears and a dark, reddish-brown coat. Its coarse, water-repellent fur helps it stay dry, and unlike other rabbits, its tail is dark brown all over, not white underneath. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Lagomorpha - **Family:** Leporidae - **Genus:** Sylvilagus ## Interesting facts - Marsh Rabbits can actually dive completely underwater to hide from danger! - They leave a distinct scent trail when traveling through their swampy home. - They often build their nests on small dry mounds of vegetation. - Unlike most rabbits, their tail is dark brown all over, not fluffy white. ## Special abilities - **Water Wizard:** Marsh Rabbits can swim powerfully underwater to escape predators or find food in their wetland home. - **Short Ears, Big Advantage:** Marsh Rabbits have small, rounded ears that help them move easily through dense marsh plants without snagging. - **Camouflage Coat:** Marsh Rabbits have coarse, dark fur that blends perfectly with muddy banks and dark water, making them hard to spot. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 43-45 cm - **Weight:** 1.6-1.7 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-4 years - **Speed:** 29 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-4 - **Gestation:** 30-37 days ## Diet & Feeding These plant-eaters munch on wetland grasses and aquatic plants found in their watery home! - **Primary Foods:** cordgrass, cattails, sedges, water hyacinth, rushes - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — A major predator in their wetland habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Hunts rabbits and small animals near water. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Preys on them during twilight hours. - **Eats:** Broadleaf Cattail (*Typha latifolia*) — A common aquatic plant in their diet. - **Eats:** Black Needle Rush (*Juncus roemerianus*) — Feeds on this common marsh plant. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a rabbit in the wild, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Marsh Rabbit? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Marsh Rabbit? 43-45 cm ### How much does Marsh Rabbit weigh? 1.6-1.7 kg ### How long does Marsh Rabbit live? 1-4 years ### How fast can Marsh Rabbit move? 29 km/h ### What does Marsh Rabbit eat? These plant-eaters munch on wetland grasses and aquatic plants found in their watery home! ### Where is Marsh Rabbit usually found? Wetlands ### How does Marsh Rabbit hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Harry P. Leu Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harry-p-leu-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Heathcote Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heathcote-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Secessionville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/secessionville-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Southeast Gainesville Residential District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/southeast-gainesville-residential-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Disney's Animal Kingdom](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/disneys-animal-kingdom) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Airlie Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/airlie-gardens) — North Carolina, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Marsh Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/marsh-rabbit) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Marsh Rabbit: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/marsh-rabbit)