Eastern Cottontail
Sylvilagus floridanus
S. floridanus is a medium-sized cottontail with grayish-brown fur, a white underside, and a rusty-brown patch on the nape of the neck. The ears are relatively long, and t…
How to identify
S. floridanus is a medium-sized cottontail with grayish-brown fur, a white underside, and a rusty-brown patch on the nape of the neck. The ears are relatively long, and the tail is short and fluffy white. They are highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of habitats.
Range
S. floridanus is the most widespread cottontail in North America. Its range extends from eastern Canada southward through the eastern United States, Mexico, and into parts of Central and South America.
Habitat
S. floridanus is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, meadows, suburban areas, and even urban parks. They prefer areas with a mix of open areas for foraging and dense cover for protection.
Similar species
S. transitionalis (New England Cottontail) overlaps in range in the Northeast, requiring careful identification. S. aquaticus (Swamp Rabbit) can also overlap in the Southeast, but S. floridanus prefers drier habitats.
Name and etymology
Genus
Sylvilagus
Latin for forest (silva) and Greek for hare (lagos_
Origin
Sources
- Palmer, Index Generum Mammalium (1904) ↗
Palmer, T. S. 1904. Index Generum Mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals. North American Fauna 23. Government Printing Office, Washington. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.39809
Species epithet
floridanus
Latin for of Florida
Origin
Sources
- Wikipedia: Sylvilagus floridanus ↗
“Sylvilagus floridanus.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_cottontail
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
S. floridanus is the most widespread cottontail in North America. Its range extends from eastern Canada southward through the…
Habitat
S. floridanus is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, meadows, suburban are…
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap