Eastern Cottontail

rabbits · North America · fluffy tails

Cotton Ball Tail. The eastern cottontail's fluffy white tail looks just like a cotton ball, which is how it got its name. When the rabbit runs away from danger, its bright white tail bounces up and down like a signal.

Found Almost Everywhere. Eastern cottontails live across most of North America, from Canada all the way down to South America. They've adapted so well to human neighborhoods and farms that their population stays strong and healthy.

Grass and Plant Eater. These rabbits are vegetarians that love munching on grasses, herbs, twigs, and bark. They hunt for food mostly at dawn and dusk when it's harder for predators to spot them.

Important Prey Animal. Eastern cottontails are a favorite meal for foxes, hawks, owls, and other predators. By being hunted, they help keep predator populations healthy and balanced in nature.

Super Fast Baby Makers. Female eastern cottontails can have several large litters of babies every year, which helps explain why they're the most common rabbit in North America. This high birth rate keeps their population strong even with all the predators hunting them.