Mammal
New England Cottontail
Sylvilagus transitionalisAlso known as Gray Rabbit, Brush Rabbit, Wood Hare, Wood Rabbit
New England cottontails depend on dense, early-successional shrublands and young forests to escape predators and forage on woody vegetation. Unlike their introduced relative, the eastern cottontail, this native lagomorph requires contiguous thickets of blueberry, mountain laurel, and brambles for survival. As early-forest thickets mature into high-canopy woodlands, their suitable habitat shrinks dramatically, making them a priority for regional conservation efforts.
NativeLagomorphThicket Specialist
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrasses, Brambles, Tree Bark
Predators
- Coyotes
- Red Foxes
- Great Horned Owls
ThreatsHabitat loss, forest maturation, and competition with Eastern cottontails
HabitatsDense thickets, young forests, scrublands, and blueberry barrens
Life span1–3 years
Classification
- FamilyLeporidae
- SpeciesSylvilagus transitionalis
Native
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to observe; may scratch or bite if cornered or handled.
- What to notice
- Appears nearly identical to the eastern cottontail but slightly smaller with shorter ears and a darker hair pattern.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a generous distance, stay on established trails, and keep dogs leashed near shrubby habitats.
Responsible observation
- Observation timing: Scan shrubland edges early in the morning or late at evening when foraging activity peaks.
- Distinction cue: Look for a black patch between the ears, though tissue DNA analysis is often needed to confirm ID.
- Habitat care: Keep pets on leashes around thicket edges to prevent disturbing hidden nest burrows.
Competitor (c) Andrew Murray, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Murray · cc-by
Predator "Red Fox" by Mike's Birds is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Lepus_americanus_5459.JPG: Walter Siegmund (talk) derivative work: Wsiegmund / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Tomfriedel, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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