Small Mammals of North Dakota
Eastern Cottontail
Sylvilagus floridanus
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The eastern cottontail is the most common cottontail species in North Dakota and can be found statewide. It is also the largest cottontail being similar in appearance to the desert and Nuttall's but is darker in color and has shorter ears. Cottontails may be active at any time of the day or night but most active in twilight hours. Home ranges usually cover 1-5 acres but may be larger in areas where food and cover is sparse.
Cottontails spend daylight hours resting in well-concealed brushy areas and may utilize burrows of other mammals during unfavorable weather and heavy snow. Favorite foods include grasses and legumes but they may also eat twigs, barks and buds of trees, more often in the winter.
The breeding season occurs in spring and summer months. Females bear from 1-9 offspring per litter and may have several litters per year. Gestation period is from 28-30 days. At 4-5 weeks, young are no longer dependent on the female and reach adulthood in four months.
Cottontails have numerous enemies and most young never make it to reproductive stage. Only about one percent reach two years of age. They are an important food source for coyotes, fox, hawks, owls, weasels, rattlesnakes and others. They are also a favorite game animal and provide excellent table fare. Because of tularemia, it is advisable to harvest cottontails for consumption only during winter months.
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