Sylvilagus audubonii

(Baird, 1858)

Vernacular names
English : Desert cottontail
French : Lapin d’Audubon

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Lagomorpha
Family : Leporidae
Notes : 7 subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach 43 cm in total length for a weight up 1.5 kg. Females generally bigger than males. Fur mostly light gray-brown with white belly and a fluffy white tail (hence the species name). Ears are 10 cm long and mostly held erect.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in North America, from California and Montana to western Texas, south to North and Central Mexico. Lives in near-desert grasslands, dry forests, up to 2000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a large range and is considered common to abundant throughout. No subspecies is in alarming decline at the moment.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Rodents” page