Mammal · GBIF taxon 2436883
Swamp Rabbit
Sylvilagus aquaticusAlso known as Cane Cutter, Swamper, Cane Jake
As the largest member of the cottontail genus, swamp rabbits are uniquely adapted for semi-aquatic life in southern river bottomlands and cypress swamps. They walk easily across muddy ground with splayed toes and take to deep water readily, diving beneath the surface with only their nostrils exposed to escape predators. Males maintain strict territories along watercourses, marking visible logs with chin gland secretions to signal ownership.
NocturnalMammalWetland
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasses
- Sedges
- Switchcane
Predators
- Bobcat
- American Alligator
- Great Horned Owl
ThreatsWetland drainage, forest fragmentation, severe flooding events
HabitatsRiver bottomlands, floodplain forests, swamps, marshy borders
Life span3 to 5 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyLeporidae
- SpeciesSylvilagus aquaticus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observing at Dusk: Search along marsh edges and muddy riverbanks during twilight when activity peaks.
- Identifying Tracks: Look for distinctive splayed-toe prints on muddy logs and stream banks.
- Maintaining Distance: Avoid cornering them near water where they will dive or swim across channels to escape.
Close Relative (c) Tomfriedel, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Andrew Murray, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Murray · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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