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Sylvilagus aquaticus
The largest of the obviously named "cottontails" (within Sylvilagus sp.) found in North America but this specimen wasn't particularly large so possibly not fully grown. They have rounder, proportionally smaller ears than other cottontails. Their fur appears coarser and has a yellowish cast.
True to name, this individual was observed just off a hiking trail in bottomland hardwood freshwater swamp forest within the "Grassy Island Unit" of the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge (Tennessee), otherwise more generally at "Reelfoot Lake".There are open lake and ditch, and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) swamp habitats nearby. Reelfoot Lake formed by subsidence during the strong 1811-1812 "New Madrid" earthquakes.
This rabbit was blissfully unaware of my presence as I walked a nature trail. I promptly dropped down but my camera and phone weren't sharp at that distance.
2 Comments
Thanks Daniele. My forays into nature have been severely limited due to mobility difficulties. I hope to spend more time on our site though.
Nice to see you back Scott!