Sylvilagus obscurus
Appalachian cottontail

Appalachian cottontails inhabit forests and brushy areas at high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains, which stretch from the Hudson River in New York to northern Alabama. (Boyce and Barry, 2007; Russell, et al., 1999; Sharpe and Newman, 1996)

Appalachian cottontails inhabit montane areas of high elevation coniferous forests as well as areas providing dense cover from mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.), blackberry vines (Rubus spp.), greenbriar (Smilax spp.), and cane (Arundinaria gigantea). Generally, Appalachian cottontails are found at elevations greater than 762 m, though this species has been reported below 610 m at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains in Tennessee and Alabama. Appalachian cottontails are also found in high densities in clear cuts and ares of recent (5 to 25 years) disturbance. (Bunch, et al., 2006; Russell, et al., 1999; Sharpe and Newman, 1996)

Appalachian cottontails are yellowish brown mixed with black on the dorsal side and have a reddish brown patch over the neck. Their sides are lighter in color and their ventral side white. They also have a short fluffy tail, which is darker on the top and ventrally white. Appalachian cottontails are nearly indistinguishable from New England cottontails in the field. They, however, occur in different ranges; cottontails found south or west of the Hudson River in New York are considered Appalachian cottontails. (Bunch, et al., 2006; Kurta, 1995; Russell, et al., 1999; Sharpe and Newman, 1996)

While Appalachian cottontails show great resemblance to Eastern cottontails, Appalachian cottontails are slightly smaller in size, have shorter, rounded ears with black along the edges, and have a black spot on the head between the ears. Also, Eastern cottontails usually have a white spot on their forehead, which Appalachian cottontails lack. Additionally, the skulls of Appalachian cottontails and Eastern cottontails are markedly different when viewed from above. Appalachian cottontails have a jagged and irregular suture line between the frontal and nasal bones, whereas this line is smooth in Eastern cottontails. Also, the postorbital process of Appalachian cottontails are thin and just barely join the skull at the posterior end. (Kurta, 1995; Sharpe and Newman, 1996)

Although little information is available regarding the mating systems of Appalachian cottontails, other members of g. Sylvilagus are polygynous. Males in this genus fight amongst themselves, determining a hierarchy that influences mating priority. Appalachian cottontails may squeal while mating. (Nowak, 1999)

Male Appalachian cottontails come into breeding condition at the end of winter due to lengthening daylight and increases in temperature. Breeding begins in warm weather, usually between late February and early October. A prolific species, adult female Appalachian cottontails can breed immediately after giving birth. An adult female breeds an average of 3 times during the season and can bare 3 to 4 young with each litter. Appalachian cottontails produce 2 to 8 young annually. Gestation lasts 28 days, and young are weaned after 3 to 4 weeks. Around 6 to 7 days of age, young Appalachian cottontails, which are born blind, open their eyes, and after 12 to 14 days, they leave the next. Sexual maturity is reached after 1 to 2 months of age. Although males do not reproduce until the following spring, some female Appalachian cottontails reproduce late in the breeding season of their first summer. (Kurta, 1995; Sharpe and Newman, 1996)

Expectant female Appalachian cottontails build a shallow nest composed of leaves, grass, and fur. Young cottontails are born naked, blind, and helpless, and the mother invests the month after birth to weaning and raising the litter. When she leaves for an extended period of time, the mother covers her nest and young with layers of fur, grass, leaves and twigs for camouflage and to keep the young warm. After 6 or 7 days, young Appalachian cottontails open their eyes, and after 12 to 14 days, they leave the nest. Lactation generally lasts for 16 days. After about one month, the young are completely independent from the mother. (Kurta, 1995; Sharpe and Newman, 1996)

Appalachian cottontails are very short-lived and are expected to live less than one year. Populations of this species are maintained because of their incredible productivity. (Sharpe and Newman, 1996)

Appalachian cottontails are crepuscular or active at dawn and dusk. During the day, they tend to rest and groom under a log or in another area sheltered from predators. Cottontails are active year-round. Most species of g. Sylvilagus are considered solitary, and males are thought to create dominance hierarchies based on fighting that influence mating priority. (Kurta, 1995; Nowak, 1999; Russell, et al., 1999)

Male Appalachian cottontails have a larger home range during the breeding season, up to 13.3 ha. Female home ranges remain fairly constant and can be as small as 1.5 ha. (Boyce and Barry, 2007; Nowak, 1999)

Similarly to other cottontails, Appalachian cottontails exercise a heightened sense of smell, hearing, and sight, aiding sending and receiving of signals, attracting mates, and allowing quick perception of and reaction to potential predators. Mothers may grunt if a predator is seen near the nest. Appalachian cottontails may also squeal while mating. (Kurta, 1995; Nowak, 1999; Wilson and Ruff, 1999)

The diet of Appalachian cottontails consists of grasses, forbs, and conifer needles in addition to leaves, twigs, and fruits from the mountainous shrubs in its habitat. In the winter, it is suspected that this species eats the buds and bark of trees and shrubs including red maple, aspen, choke cherry, black cherry, alders, and blueberry bushes. (Bowers, et al., 2007; Kurta, 1995)

Like most Lagomorphs, Appalachian cottontails partakes of coprophagy, the eating of their own feces. This allows for the uptake of essential vitamins that were unabsorbed during the first pass through the digestive tract. (Kurta, 1995)

Appalachian cottontails have quick, saltatorial locomotion to escape potential predators. Often, cottontails dash in a zig-zag pattern to lose predators. A slinking form of movement, low to the ground with the ears back, may be used to avoid detection. Additionally, cottontails can remain almost completely still and quiet for up to 15 minutes, even when closely approached, to prevent detection from predators. Known predators include Owls, Hawks, Dogs, Foxes, and Humans. (Kurta, 1995; Nowak, 1999)

Appalachian cottontails serve as prey for a wide variety of animals, including Owls, Hawks, Dogs, Foxes, and Humans. As consumers of fruits, this species may also act as seed dispersers. Appalachian cottontails also slow the regeneration of disturbed areas in the environment by feeding on low growing shrubs and grasses that colonize during early to mid succession. (Kurta, 1995; Sharpe and Newman, 1996)

Appalachian cottontails and eastern cottontails are similar in appearance and both are hunted for their meat and fur. (Sharpe and Newman, 1996)

Appalachian cottontails slow the regeneration of disturbed areas in the environment by feeding on low growing shrubs and grasses that colonize during early to mid succession. Appalachian cottontails can also transmit the bacterial infection, Tularemia, to humans. (Kurta, 1995; Wilson and Ruff, 1999)

Appalachian cottontails are found only in high elevations and are considered to be "near threatened" by the IUCN Red List. Population sizes are decreasing, and it is unknown why this species is limited to high elevations. Conservation status on the US Federal List is under review. (Bunch, et al., 2006)