Eastern Cottontail rabbits are a very common species in southwest Florida. This chunky, grayish-brown animal is distinguished by its puffy white tail. These rabbits can grow from 14 to 17 inches and weigh between 2-4 pounds.
Eastern Cottontails dwell in heavy brush, strips of forest, weedy patches, and abandoned fields. Anywhere that they can hide quickly. They do not, however, prefer the swampy areas of southwest Florida as their cousins, the Marsh rabbits do. They are usually active around early morning and evening time and can be seen eating or frolicking. These rabbits are herbivores and consume green plant parts including grasses, herbs, and leaves. During the cooler months, when less greenery is available, they will eat young wood shoots and bark.
Breeding season for these animals are year round, peaking from February to September. Like most rabbits, Eastern Cottontails have a short gestation period and large litters. Females can breed starting at age 6 months and have 7-12 litters a year of between 3-6 kits. These rabbits are very territorial and can have an area between 1-20 acres they defend. They do not tolerate their own kind very well and chose to be solidarity. These animals have to contend with many predators including foxes, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, owls, hawks, snakes, and domesticated cats and dogs. However, they are very fast and run in a zig-zag pattern to confuse their potential predators at a rate of almost 18 miles per hour.
Information provided by: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/rabbit/
To learn more read: http://www.news-press.com/story/entertainment/2015/03/28/comes-eastern-cottontail-found-yard-near/70399652/
Photos by Shanna Weber