Mammals of North Carolina:
their Distribution and Abundance
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Eastern Cottontail - Sylvilagus floridanus
Leporidae Members:
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Photo by: C. Greiner
Distribution In NC, it occurs statewide, certainly present in all counties, from the coast to the middle elevations, at least up to 4,200 feet elevation.

Ranges throughout the eastern United States and extreme southern Canada, west through the Great Plains and south to the Gulf Coast and into Mexico.
Abundance Abundant across the state, though numbers decrease in the middle and higher elevations, where the very similar Appalachian Cottontail is present. Note that the iNaturalist website contains photos for many more than half of the state's counties, and the editors have not taken the time to update the map with "Photo" records/documentation unless the county had previously no known records (white on the map).
Seasonal Occurrence Active year-round.
Habitat Very widespread, but usually near dense herbaceous cover. Favors brushy fields, thickets, clearcuts, and wooded borders, but does occur in forest interiors, as well as in wide open weedy fields, dunes, maritime thickets, and many other places. It favors dry to mesic habitats, as opposed to wet places. It is often seen by the layman in yards, close to cover, usually at twilight.
See also Habitat Account for Forest-Field Ecotones and Groves
Behavior Primarily nocturnal, but occasionally active by day, mainly at dawn and dusk. As is well known, it is very prolific as a breeder.
Comments This well-known species is one of the most frequently seen mammals in the state, after only the Eastern Gray Squirrel and perhaps the White-tailed Deer. In wetter habitats, the Marsh Rabbit "replaces" the Eastern Cottontail, as does the Appalachian Cottontail at the higher elevations.
Origin Native
NC List Official
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
subspecies Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus
other_comName
synonym
NC Map
Map depicts all counties with a report (transient or resident) for the species.
Click on county for list of all database records for species in that county.