Smaller darker cousin of eastern cottontail. Endemic to New England; populations crashed dramatically due to forest maturation and habitat fragmentation.

Also called: Cooney

Native status: Native; candidate for federal listing; state-listed in several states

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 38–45 cm (15–18 in); tail 4–6 cm
Weight1.0–1.3 kg (2.2–2.9 lb)
LifespanWild typically 2 years
OrderLagomorpha
FamilyLeporidae

§ Encyclopedia

The New England cottontail, also known as the gray rabbit, brush rabbit, wood hare, wood rabbit, or cooney, is a species of cottontail rabbit that appears in fragmented populations across New England and the state of New York, specifically from southern Maine to southern New York. This species bears a close resemblance to the eastern cottontail, which has been introduced in much of the New England cottontail home range. The eastern cottontail is now more common in it.

Source: Wikipedia — New England cottontail Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Reddish-brown rabbit with small white-tipped tail; black spot between ears (in most); slightly smaller eye than Eastern Cottontail. Reliable separation requires skull or DNA.

Similar species. Eastern Cottontail (introduced; larger eyes, paler overall). Appalachian Cottontail (very similar; different range). Swamp Rabbit (much larger).

Voice. Generally silent; high-pitched scream when seized.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Grasses, forbs, woody twigs (in winter), bark. Heavy browsers on dense early-successional vegetation.

Behavior. New England's ONLY native cottontail. Range has contracted 86% since 1960 — now restricted to ~5 patches in ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY. Requires dense early-successional shrub habitat (5–20 years post-disturbance). Introduced Eastern Cottontail (released for hunting in early 1900s) is morphologically nearly identical but has slightly larger eyes giving wider visual field — making them better at detecting predators in fragmented modern landscapes.

§ Range

New England (declining)

§ Habitat

Brushy thickets, regenerating clearcuts

§ Threats

Forest maturation reducing thicket habitat, predation, competition with introduced eastern cottontails.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the new england cottontail is currently classified as Vulnerable.

§ What helps

Support early-successional habitat management. Donate to New England conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS New England Cottontail Initiative
  • Wildlife Management Institute
  • State wildlife agencies in NE region
  • IUCN Red List 2019