{"id":4022,"date":"2014-09-28T03:25:36","date_gmt":"2014-09-28T08:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/staging\/vet\/?p=4022"},"modified":"2023-02-02T09:19:06","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T15:19:06","slug":"basic-information-for-the-cottontail-rabbit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/basic-information-for-the-cottontail-rabbit\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information Sheet: Cottontail Rabbit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus<\/i> spp.)<\/h1>\n
\"cottontail<\/a>

Photo credit: Donald Hines via Flickr Creative Commons<\/small><\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Natural history<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nThe cottontail is found throughout the eastern and Midwestern United States, and is common throughout much of its range.<\/p>\n

The high reproductive capacity and adaptability of this species has made the cottontail one of the most important game animals in North America.
\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/p>\n
\n

Taxonomy<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nClass<\/strong>: Mammalia<\/em><\/p>\n

Order<\/strong>: Lagamorpha<\/em><\/p>\n

Family<\/strong>: Leporidae<\/em> – hares, rabbits<\/p>\n

Genus<\/strong>: Sylvilagus<\/em> – There are approximately ten cottontail species including:<\/p>\n

Sylvilagus floridanus <\/em>– Eastern cottontail (widest distribution)<\/p>\n

S. audubonii <\/em>– Audobon\u2019s cottontail<\/p>\n

S. bachmani <\/em>– Brush rabbit<\/p>\n

S. palustris <\/em>– Marsh rabbit<\/p>\n

S. nuttallii <\/em>– Mountain cottontail<\/p>\n

Although distinct species, all are commonly referred to as \u201ccottontails\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/div>

<\/div><\/p>\n
\n

Diet<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nCottontail rabbits eat a wide variety of plant foods including grasses, sedges, sprouts, leaves, fruits, buds, and bark. During the summer months, cottontails primarily eat grasses, legumes, succulent annuals, weeds, as well as the occasional garden vegetable. The winter diet includes small grains, as well as twigs, bark, and buds of shrubs and trees.<\/p>\n

Favorite food items often include white and crimson clover, Bahia grass, and green succulent vegetation like alfalfa, wheat, barley, ryegrass, and winter peas.<\/p>\n

A captive diet frequently consists of a variety of greens, grasses, clover, and hay<\/a>.
\n<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Husbandry<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nCottontail rabbits serve as the \u201cposter child\u201d for prey species, as they serve as fair game for nearly all predators. This species tends to be high strung and easily stressed. Cottontails do not bear the rigors of captivity well and should be maintained in captivity for as short a period as possible. Provide adequate visual security like a hide box and house them as far away as possible from the sight, sound, and smell of dogs and cats.<\/p>\n

Cottontails are solitary animals that are relatively intolerant of conspecifics.<\/p>\n

Cottontails are also crepuscular and nocturnal. Feeding activity peaks 2 to 3 hours after dawn and during the hour after sunset.
\n<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Normal physiologic values<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Temperature<\/td>\n101.3-103 F<\/td>\n38.0-39.6 C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pulse<\/td>\nnot available (n\/a)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Respiration<\/td>\nn\/a<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mean life span<\/td>\n <<\/span>3 years<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sexual maturity<\/td>\n2-3 months<\/td>\nsmaller species reach puberty earlier than larger species<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gestation<\/td>\n25-31 days<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Litter size<\/td>\n1-7 (average 3-4)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Birth weight<\/td>\n23-33 g<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eyes open<\/td>\nDay 4-5<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gestation<\/td>\n25-31 days<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Litter size<\/td>\n1-6 (average 2)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weaning age<\/td>\n6-8 weeks<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emerge from nest<\/td>\n\u02dc Day 14<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weaning age<\/td>\nDay 16-22<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Independent<\/td>\nWeek 7-8<\/td>\nEyes open, ears erect, \u02dc 4 inches (10 cm) long<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Body weight, 6 months<\/td>\n0.5 kg (1.1-1.2 kg)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Adult weight<\/td>\n1.76-3.37 lb (0.8-1.53 kg)<\/td>\nEyes open, ears erect, \u02dc 4 inches (10 cm) long<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Target environmental temperature:<\/td>\n65-70\u00b0F<\/td>\n15.6-21.0\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Target environmental humidity<\/td>\n30% to 50%<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daily h20 intake<\/td>\n120 ml\/kg\/day<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Reproduction<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nThe doe creates a shallow nest made of grass and lined with fur. Here the young remain hidden by litter or leaves.<\/p>\n

The doe cottontail may breed the same day the litter is born and may repeat the young rearing process three or four times during the breeding season. A new nest is generally constructed for each litter.<\/p>\n

The doe\u2019s milk is extremely rich, and the young are nursed once or twice daily for 3-5 minutes at a time.
\n<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Restraint<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nThe principles and precautions for cottontail rabbit restraint are the same as for the European rabbit<\/a>, however the high-strung nature of the cottontail requires particularly swift and sure technique.<\/p>\n

Rabbits possess a relatively lightweight, delicate skeleton paired with extremely strong, well-developed back and leg muscles. With improper restraint, rabbits that struggle or kick run the risk of a broken back or leg. Always restrain rabbits on a non-slip surface such as a large, heavy towel or pad.<\/p>\n

Gloves and protective clothing may also be indicated due to potential zoonotic risk<\/a> (see ‘Important medical conditions’ below<\/em>).
\n<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Venipuncture<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nVenipuncture<\/a>: Collect larger volumes from the jugular vein or lateral saphenous vein. Smaller samples may be taken from the cephalic vein.<\/p>\n

<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Antibiotics to Avoid<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nAvoid antimicrobials<\/a> that attack only gram-positive bacteria such as beta-lactams.<\/p>\n

P.L.A.C.E.:<\/strong><\/p>\n