A medium-sized cottontail of western mountain and sage habitats.

Native status: Native to western US mountains

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 34–42 cm; tail 3–4 cm
Weight600–900 g
LifespanWild 1 year
OrderLagomorpha
FamilyLeporidae

§ Encyclopedia

The mountain cottontail or Nuttall's cottontail is a species of rabbit found in western Canada and the United States. It is a medium- to small-sized rabbit with pale brown fur, white undersides, a two-colored tail, and black-tipped, rounded ears with densely furred insides. It has notably rusty-colored legs and an orange nape. The mountain cottontail appears largely among coniferous forests in mountainous regions, including the slopes of the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade-Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, and adapts to a variety of elevations and vegetation. Its diet is made up of various grasses, shrubs, and sagebrush, as well as twigs, bark, or fungi in lesser amounts or when foliage is scarce.

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

§ Identification

Field marks. Small rabbit with brown back, white belly; short ears.

Similar species. Other Sylvilagus species.

Voice. Generally silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Grasses, sagebrush, willow.

Behavior. Western mountain cottontail. Smaller than other western cottontails.

§ Range

Western US

§ Habitat

Sagebrush and mountain habitats

§ Threats

Habitat loss to fire.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the mountain cottontail is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support sage-steppe conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Society of Mammalogists
  • IUCN Red List 2016