New England cottontail Sylvilagus transitionalis

Geographic Range

Sylvilagus transitionalis is widespread throughout much of eastern North America, ranging from southern Maine to southeastern Alabama.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (native ).

Habitat

Wood rabbits are a habit-specific species. They are primarily found at higher level elevations. Wood rabbits inhabit dense forests with thick cover, which they prefer over more open areas. Their home ranges vary from .5-1.7 square acres. Wood rabbits and Sylvilagus floridanus often have home ranges that overlap; thus these cottontails are able to live sympatrically.

Terrestrial Biomes: forest.

Physical Description

Adult wood rabbits range in size from 382mm-425mm. Generally, female wood rabbits are larger in size than males. Wood rabbits backsides have a pinkish buff coat overlaid with a black washed streaking throughout. The ventral surface is white, the dorsal surface of the tail is a rusty color, while the ventral side is white. Wood rabbits have short, round ears with black edging. Wood rabbits also have a distinctive black patch between their ears, and unlike most other cottontails, they lack the white blaze on their forehead. Wood rabbits molt once a year and this occurs in the late summer. The dental formula is I 2/1, C 0/0, PM 3/2, M 3/3.

Reproduction

Wood rabbits breed primarily from April to August, with an average of three litters annually. Wood rabbit females are polyestrous; litters typically contain 3-8 young. The gestation period for wood rabbits is 28 days. Young wood rabbits are altricial; they are born naked and blind in the nest. Adult female wood rabbits have 4 pairs of mammae. After 3-4 weeks, young wood rabbits are completely weaned.

Behavior

Wood rabbits are active year round, they are a terrestrial and solitary species. During the breeding season male wood rabbits unite to seek out a female wood rabbit in estrous. Male wood rabbits establish mating priorities by courtship, which is attained through fighting. Wood rabbits are nocturnal so they are most active after dusk. Wood rabbits often use holes dug by other animals to hide from predators but they are not true burrowers. Wood rabbits are also known to use their hindfeet for defense against predators. When a wood rabbit is disturbed it often makes vocalization calls. Also, when handled, the wood rabbit becomes very resistant, squealing and struggling to escape (Merritt 1987).

Food Habits

Wood rabbits are herbivores, feeding on plants, bark, and leaves, which are located within their habitat. During the winter, wood rabbits feed primarily on bark and twigs, while in the summer they eat plants, grasses, and leaves. Wood rabbits are the only cottontail that feeds extensively on conifer needles (Chapman 1990). Wood rabbits practice coprophagy, where fecal pellets are reingested to provide reabsorption of vitamin B. Microorganisms attach to these pellets in the gut and help increase the amount of nutrients extracted the second time. Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Wood rabbits do agricultural damage to crops and other important vegetation. Wood rabbits can also carry diseases transferable to humans, such as tularemia, as well as external and internal parasites, including ticks, botfly, various protozoans and nematodes. Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Cottontails, including wood rabbits, are very important game species in the eastern United States (Nowak 1999). Their meat is used in dishes such as rabbit stew, and their skins are used as lining for clothing, including coats.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: [link]: Vulnerable.

US Federal List: [link]: No special status.

CITES: [link]: No special status.

Introduction of S. floridanus to the habitat of S. transitionalis, along with modifications to their necessary habitat, has been attributed to the decrease of S. transitionalis in the past few years. Human hunting and predation by animals, including cats, dogs, and foxes, has also affected the declining of S. transitionalis.

Other Comments

Crossbreeding between S. transitionalis and S. floridanus has occurred in the wild, although it is very uncommon. Unfortunately, there is limited data about the hybrids and why they occur between these two species.

Chapman, J., J. Flux. 1990. Rabbits, Hares, & Pikas: Status Survey & Conservation Action Plan. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.

Egan, C. December 13, 1998. "New England Cottontail" (On-line). Accessed October 11, 1999 at http://biology.wsc.mass.edu/biology/courses/hoag/mammal/98fall/spacc/sylvilagus.html.

Godin, A. 1977. Wild Mammals of New England. Baltimore, Maryland: The John Hopkins University Press.

Linzey, D. 1998. The Mammals of Virginia. Virginia: McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company.

Merritt, J. 1987. Guide to the Mammals of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania: University of Pittsburgh Press.

Nowak, R. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Maryland: John Hopkin's University Press.