DESERT RABBIT Sylvilagus audubonii

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Family: Leporidae, Hares and Rabbits

Description Buff-brown above; white below. Nape bright rust. Moderately long ears, sparsely furred inside. L 13 3/4–16 1/2"; T 1 3/4–2 7/8"; Wt 1 3/4–2 3/4 lb.

Similar Species Mountain Cottontail usually has slightly shorter ears. Brush Rabbit is smaller, with shorter tail and hindlegs. Pygmy Rabbit is much smaller, with tail gray above and below. Eastern Cottontail is often larger, and has proportionally shorter ears.

Breeding At least 2 litters per year, born year-round; 1–6 young (average 3) per litter.

Habitat Grasslands to creosote brush and deserts.

Range California to Texas, north to e Montana and sw North Dakota. .

Discussion In areas of sparse vegetation, it occasionally rests in the burrows of other animals, such as prairie dogs or skunks. It readily climbs sloping trees, and is thought to use logs and stumps as lookout posts after dark. The home range of the Desert Cottontail extends up to 15 acres (37 ha) for males and 9 acres (22 ha) for females. Its running speed has been timed at 15 mph (25 km/h). Grasses, mesquite, other green plants, cacti, bark, and twigs are its chief foods. The young of this species are born in a fur-lined depression. .

Track Hindprints are about 3" long; foreprints smaller and rounder, and placed behind paired hindprints when running, producing a distinctive set of 4 tracks.

Sign Den is often a burrow. Clipped shoots are cleanly cut on a slant; deer's are ragged at tip. Gnaws bark from base of soft-barked trees and shrubs.

Scat: Droppings are small, round pellets, usually in clusters.