Mountain Cottontail Rabbit

  • They usually inhabit wooded or brushy areas with plenty of vegetation. 

  • They dig burrows in the ground for their homes

  • They are herbivores and feed on grasses, herbs, vegetables, barks, twigs, and other plants.  When food is scarce, they can re-ingest fecal pellets for added nutrients. They may also eat the buckthorn plant, which turns their urine blue. 

  • In the spring and summer they can have up to 8 litters with an average of 4 young/litter. 

  • They have very keen eyesight and hearing and are excellent at camouflage. They freeze in place if they sense predators, sometimes for up to 15 minutes. 

  • They can hop/jump up to 18 mph in short bursts. They often zig-zag while hopping to confuse predators. 

  • They communicate by thumping the ground with their feet. 

  • Predators: snakes, birds or prey, owls, coyotes, bobcats, and martens.