6 NEBRASKAland • MAY 2018
A
Mammal
Brief
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
By most accounts, there
are 35 subspecies of the eastern cottontail.
Nebraska is home to two cottontail species – Sylvilagus floridanus mearnsi and
Sylvilagus floridanus similis, the common name for both is conveniently "eastern cottontail." One species,
Sylvilagus floridanus mearnsi, is found in the eastern quarter of the state. The other, Sylvilagus floridanus
similis, is found in the western three-fourths of the state.
Both species are herbivores that feed on grasses, clover and ornamental flowers in the summer and twigs,
bark and buds of trees and shrubs in the winter. Both cottontail rabbits and white-tailed deer will feed on twigs
in the winter. A careful observer can tell the difference by looking at how the twig was bitten. Because rabbits
have both upper and lower incisors they will make a clean bite. White-tailed deer lack upper incisors, forcing
them to tear off the twig.
Eastern cottontails can be found in a wide range of habitats, including meadows, orchards, open woodlands
and urban areas. Their range is between 5-8 acres depending on food availability. They are a solitary species
coming together only to mate. ■
Lindsay Rogers is an outdoor education specialist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
PHOTO
BY
JUSTIN
HAAG
By Lindsay Rogers
