Eastern cottontail

Description:

The eastern cottontail is chunky, red-brown or gray-brown in appearance, with large hind feet, long ears, and a short, fluffy white tail. Its underside fur is white. There is a rusty patch on the tail. Its appearance differs from that of a hare in that it has a brownish-gray coloring around the head and neck.

Habitat:

Optimal eastern cottontail habitat includes open grassy areas, clearings, and old fields supporting abundant green grasses and herbs, with shrubs in the area or edges for cover.The essential components of eastern cottontail habitat are an abundance of well-distributed escape cover interspersed with more open foraging areas such as grasslands and pastures.

Notes:

The eastern cottontail is a very territorial animal. When chased, it runs in a zigzag pattern, running up to 18 mph.