Sylvilagus floridanus alacer

(Bangs, 1896)

Vernacular names
English : Eastern cottontail
French : Lapin à queue blanche

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Lagomorpha
Family : Leporidae
Notes : 30 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach 48 cm in total length for a weight up 2 kg. Females generally bigger than males. Fur mostly reddish-brown to gray-brown with white belly and a fluffy white tail (hence the species name). Darker fur on cheeks and neck.

Range and habitat
This species has a very large range, from north, central and eastern USA to Central America, south to northern Colombia and Venezuela. Subspecies found from Kansas to east Texas, east to Louisiana. Lives in deserts, grasslands, forests, wetlands, farmland and many more habitats.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species globally common and has a huge range. Some populations are declining because of habitat destruction and hunting.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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