ExploreMammals

Mountain Cottontail

Sylvilagus nuttallii

The Mountain Cottontail is a small, fluffy rabbit that loves to hop around in the wild. With its big ears and soft fur, it's a delightful sight in the mountains and meadows.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Mountain Cottontail has grizzled grayish-brown fur on its back and sides, blending to a bright white belly. Its most distinctive feature is its fluffy white tail, visible when it runs, and it possesses relatively shorter ears compared to many other rabbit species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderLagomorphaFamilyLeporidaeGenusSylvilagus
Mountain Cottontail
furry trait badgesocial trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Mountain Cottontail

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A cottontail can communicate danger by thumping its powerful hind feet loudly on the ground.

Baby cottontails are born blind and helpless, relying completely on their mother for weeks!

Mountain Cottontails sometimes eat their own soft droppings to get extra nutrients from plants.

These rabbits often use abandoned burrows of marmots or badgers instead of digging their own.

Special abilities

Ability

Camouflage Coat

Mountain Cottontail has a grayish-brown fur coat that helps them blend perfectly into rocky, scrubby habitats, making them hard to spot.

Ability

Zig-Zag Escape Artist

Mountain Cottontail can run in an unpredictable zig-zag pattern because of its strong hind legs, helping it evade predators quickly.

Ability

Super Sniffer

Mountain Cottontail can find food and detect danger because of its excellent sense of smell, vital for its survival in the wild.

Ability

Keen Hearing

Mountain Cottontail has large ears that can rotate, helping them pinpoint the exact location of quiet sounds, like a predator approaching.

Measurements & details

Length
35-39 cm
Weight
0.7-1.2 kg
Lifespan
1-5 years
Top Speed
35 km/h
Litter Size
3-8
Gestation
28-30 days

Diet & Feeding

These plant-eaters munch on many types of vegetation found in their mountain homes.

Primary Foods

  • Grasses
  • Sagebrush leaves
  • Forbs
  • Twigs
  • Bark

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a rabbit, watch quietly from a distance so you don't scare it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Mountain Cottontail?

35-39 cm

How much does Mountain Cottontail weigh?

0.7-1.2 kg

How long does Mountain Cottontail live?

1-5 years

How fast can Mountain Cottontail move?

35 km/h

What does Mountain Cottontail eat?

These plant-eaters munch on many types of vegetation found in their mountain homes.

Where is Mountain Cottontail usually found?

Mountain regions

How does Mountain Cottontail hunt?

Foraging

How many babies does Mountain Cottontail usually have?

3-8

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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