While the most common type of rabbit, the European rabbit live in burrows, other rabbits like the cottontail or hare typically live above ground in small nests and do not live in groups. The rabbits camouflage their nests so that they can’t be easily seen, thereby protecting them from predators. Desert Cottontail. cottontail rabbit, An animal of the order Lagomorpha, which includes the hares and rabbits, except for the domestic, or European, rabbit, which is in a separate species. This Eastern cottontail rabbit express a higher resistance to myxomatosis than the European rabbits. The best place for these animals is in the wild, and the best rabbit pet for you is a domesticated species. Rabbits do indeed multiply, especially when left to their own devices in the wild. Where Do Rabbits Live during Winter. Cottontail rabbits serve as the “poster child” for prey species, as they serve as fair game for nearly all predators. Some rabbits may live 4 or 5 years; the average life expectancy for rabbits that survive to leave the nest is only about 11 months. Cottontail rabbits are wild rabbits found all over North and South America. Rabbit vs Hare - What's The Difference? By TA on January 26, 2019 Mammals. They are made in thick and dense forests. Young plants may be clipped off at snow height, but large trees and shrubs may be completely girdled. Unlike squirrels, cottontail rabbits do not hide food for the winter. The desert does not support the lifestyle of the cottontail rabbit. The desert cottontail is distinguished from the brush rabbit, with which it overlaps in the south of its range, by its larger size and ears and by its grayish coat. No, cottontail rabbits do not live in the desert. Hares (and cottontail rabbits) live in simple nests above the ground, and usually do not live in groups. Since rabbits are social animals and often live in small groups it's not uncommon to find a group of rabbit holes or burrows linked together in a small area. Typically those underground habitats are situated in meadows, woods, forests, grasslands, deserts and even wetlands. Desert Cottontail. Its lifespan is about two years, based on the location they live. Whilst rabbits can be found across the world, the vast majority of wild rabbits live in North America. In fact, the eastern cottontail is the most common rabbit of any species in North America! Encouraging the rabbit's natural enemies, or at least not interfering with them, can help reduce rabbit populations. These animals do not migrate, so they live in the same aces they live in the spring, summer, and fall. Many of these species live in the brush piles and tall weeds that the rabbits live in. Cottontails do not bear the rigors of captivity well and should be maintained in captivity for as short a period as possible. The desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), also known as Audubon’s cottontail, is a New World cottontail rabbit, and a member of the family Leporidae. Hind feet are large and average three inches long. Mating season for cottontail rabbits begins in the spring, but can sometimes start as early as February, depending on the weather. Rabbits live in colonies and can be found in a wide range of areas right from mountaintops to areas which are at the sea level, cliffs, embankments, moorlands, salt marshes, and sand dunes. The range of the Eastern cottontail rabbit includes the entire United States east of the Rocky Mountains; it’s found in both urban and rural areas in Nebraska. The average life span of an eastern cottontail in the wild is usually less than three years. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE. No, these rabbits do not make good pets. Cottontail rabbits are also prolific. Behavior. Cottontail rabbits live in much of the Americas and are essential to the survival of many of the other animals around them. Cottontail rabbits do not mate for life, so one male rabbit can mate with multiple females. It has been estimated that if no young rabbits were lost from a litter, one pair of rabbits could produce 350,000 offspring in five years. Its lifespan is about two years, based on the location they live. Although sometimes considered a pest by farmers, they are quite adaptable and will move on to live in a more suitable area if no food is available where they are. A rabbit burrow is an underground system of tunnels which run in several directions and contain nesting areas, runs and emergency exits.