General Distribution
Inhabits most of the southern two-thirds of the state, excluding the higher elevations.
Range extends north into the Sacramento Valley and surrounding foothills (Chapman and
Willner 1978). Abundant to common in grasslands, open forests, and desert shrub habitats
(Hall 1946, Ingles 1965). Found in more open habitats than brush rabbits. Habitat Requirements
Cottontails use rockpiles, fallen trees and logs, fence rows, thickets and patches of
shrubs, vines, and brush as cover. Willow, blackberry, and wild grape are favorite coverts
(Fitch 1947). Good habitats for cottontails contain small, scattered patches of dense shrub
cover with abundant shrub/herbaceous edge for foraging. Reproduction
Desert cottontails generally breed from December through June, with a
peak of activity from March through May (Orr 1940). Gestation period lasts 26-30 days.
Females produce 2-4 litters each year of 1-6 young, with an average of 3-4. The cottontail's
estrous cycle may be influenced by availability of succulent green forage. Yearlong
reproduction apparently occurs along the Colorado River and in some other areas adjacent to
irrigated alfalfa and other succulent green crops. Daily/Seasonal Activity
Active yearlong; generally most active during crepuscular periods, with
some nocturnal and diurnal activity. Diet and Foraging
Desert cottontails are herbivorous. They feed in most canopy-closure classes,
but they prefer grasslands. They graze and browse on a wide variety of grasses, forbs, tree
and shrub leaves, twigs, fallen fruit, acorns, and tender bark (Ingles 1965). Territoriality/Home Range
In Madera Co., home ranges averaged 3-4 ha (7.5-10 ac), and rarely were
larger than 6 ha (15 ac) (Fitch 1947). Ingles (1941) found that home ranges corresponded to
the size of blackberry patches. No data on territoriality found, but cottontails probably are not territorial. Predator-Prey Relations
Cottontail predators are legion. Foxes
coyotes, bobcats, weasels, domestic dogs and cats, hawks, eagles, and owls all commonly
catch desert cottontails. Many species of snakes take the young. Literature Cited
Chapman, J. A., and G. R. Willner. 1978. Sylvilagus audubonii. Mammal. Species No. 106.
4pp.
Fitch, H. S. 1947. Ecology of a cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii) population in central
California. Calif. Fish and Game 33:159-184.
Hall, E. R. 1946. Mammals of Nevada. Univ. California Press, Berkeley. 710pp.
Ingles, L. G. 1941. Natural history observations on the Audubon cottontail. J. Mammal.
22:227-250.
Ingles, L. G. 1965. Mammals of the Pacific states. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA.
506pp.
Orr, R. T. 1940. The rabbits of California. Calif. Acad. Sci. Occas. Pap. No. 19. 227pp.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
