Mammal
Marsh Rabbit
Sylvilagus palustrisAlso known as Pontoon Rabbit, Marsh Cottontail
Marsh rabbits are strong, adept swimmers that frequently dive into canals, mangroves, and brackish marshes to escape danger or forage for food. Unlike most cottontails, they often walk on all fours rather than hop, leaving distinct walking trails through dense wetland vegetation. Their dark reddish-brown coats and short, rounded ears provide seamless camouflage among tangled roots and fallen reeds.
Semi-aquaticHerbivoreMammal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySedges, Broadleaf Cattail, Aquatic Grasses
Predators
- American Alligator
- Barred Owl
- Bobcat
ThreatsWetland development, invasive predators like feral cats, and sea level rise
HabitatsFreshwater and brackish marshes, swamps, coastal hammocks, and floodplains
Life span3–5 years in the wild
Classification
- OrderLagomorpha
- FamilyLeporidae
- GenusSylvilagus
- SpeciesSylvilagus palustris
Native
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Can deliver a sharp bite or scratch if cornered; observe quietly from a safe distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting Strategy: Scan along muddy canal banks and dense reed beds during early morning or late afternoon hours.
- Distinction Check: Look for short ears, dark underparts, and a walking gait rather than a hopping motion.
- Wetland Etiquette: Stay on boardwalks and established paths to avoid trampling delicate wetland nesting habitat.
Predator no rights reserved, uploaded by Vijay Barve · cc0
Predator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters / Public domain · cc0
Food Source Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors from Stevenage, United Kingdom / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Andrew Murray, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Murray · cc-by
Close Relative Brandon Johnson / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
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Mystic Meadows
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