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Photo by Unknown Photographer
Photo Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Desert Cottontail
Sylvilagus audubonii
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): S5
External links
General information
The desert cottontail, Sylvilagus audubonii, generally occupies areas below 6,000 feet in elevation.
Cottontails grow up to 16 inches in length with ears three to four inches long, and weigh less than three pounds. They are grayish or brownish on the back and sides with white below. The top of the tail is similar in color to the rump but it is prominently white underneath; thus the name cottontail.
Cottontails are widely distributed from desert areas up to the lower slopes of the mountains. Concentrations commonly occur in brushy areas along stream courses or dry washes.
Cottontails eat a wide variety of forbs, grasses, and shrubs.
Four to seven young are born after a 28 day gestation. Three or more litters can be weaned annually. Their nest is usually a chamber in an underground burrow.
Cottontails are distinguishable by their relatively small size, short ears, and white tail.
Phenology
Active throughout the year. Primarily crepuscular but may be seen at any time during the day or night.
Species range
Western U.S., from northern California northeastward to the Dakotas and southward to south-central Mexico.
Habitat
Various habitats; dry uplands as well as low valleys and canyons. May inhabit open grasslands, brushlands, edges of foothill woodlands, willow thickets, sometimes in cultivated fields or under buildings. May occupy burrows of other species. Rests in shallow burrow, slight depression in ground surrounded vegetative cover, or in thick vegetation. Can swim; occasionally climbs low trees. Female constructs fur-lined nest, usually on ground in open habitat (Ingles 1965).
Food habits
Eats grasses, leafy plants, fruits and seeds. May also feed on bark and shrubby vegetation. Feeds in brushy cover during the day but may venture into open areas during darker hours. Obtains water from vegetation and dew (Jones et al. 1983).
Ecology
Home range is up to about 6 ha, often much smaller. Density has been estimated at about 2-16 per ha in different areas. Mortality rates are high; few live longer than 1-2 years. In southwestern California, may be an effective disperser of seeds, including those of plants associated with vernal pools (Zedler and Black 1992).
Reproductive characteristics
Breeds throughout year or December-June in California, April-July or August in Colorado, January-August or September in Arizona). Gestation 26-30 days. Annually produces several litters of 1-5 young (average about 2.7-2.9 in Arizona, 3.6 in California). Young leave nest at 10-14 days (Chapman and Willner 1978).
References
- Text modified from: Rawley, E. V., W. J. Bailey, D. L. Mitchell, J. Roberson, and J. Leatham. 1996. Utah upland game. Publication number 63-12. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake City.
