A small cottontail of Appalachian highlands. Distinguished from eastern cottontails by skull and ear-marking details. Range fragmented by climate change.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The Appalachian cottontail is a species of cottontail rabbit in the family Leporidae. It is a rare species found in the upland areas of the eastern United States.
Source: Wikipedia — Appalachian cottontail Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small reddish-brown rabbit; small white-tipped tail; black spot between ears (in most individuals); slightly larger eye than Eastern Cottontail.
Similar species. New England Cottontail (similar; northern New England range). Eastern Cottontail (larger eyes; more widespread). Snowshoe Hare (much larger; white winter coat).
Voice. Generally silent; high-pitched scream when seized.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Grasses, forbs, woody twigs (winter), bark.
Behavior. Closely related to New England Cottontail but adapted to higher-elevation Appalachian habitat. Restricted to mountain forests of the central and southern Appalachians (WV, VA, NC, TN, GA). Was considered the same species as New England Cottontail until 1992 when DNA analysis separated them. Habitat is dense rhododendron and mountain laurel thickets in cool mature forests above 760 m.
§ Range
Appalachian Mountains
§ Habitat
High-elevation forest edges, dense rhododendron thickets
§ Threats
Climate-driven habitat shifts, forest fragmentation.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the appalachian cottontail is currently classified as Near Threatened.
§ What helps
Support Appalachian forest conservation. Maintain high-elevation habitats.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Appalachian cottontail
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Sylvilagus obscurus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 41295
- iNaturalist · taxon 43160
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Sylvilagus obscurus
§ Sources cited
- American Society of Mammalogists
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy
- State wildlife agencies
- IUCN Red List 2016
