Rabbits

While I cannot be certain, I suspect that the rabbits which are found in my yard are the species known as the Desert Cottontail. This animal is found over a wide range of the western U.S. and is identified by its large ears, rounded tail with white underneath, light grey to brown body, white belly and large hind feet.  The Desert Cottontail is active in early morning and late afternoon, eats grass and cacti, and rarely needs to drink water, getting it from the plants they eat.  These rabbits are hunted by a variety of predators, including eagles, hawks, and coyotes.   They do not build their own burrow, but rather use an abandoned badger or prairie dog burrow.  During the hot summer months they will scratch a depression under shrubs and other vegetation in order to find a cool place to rest.  In good climates, females have several litters a year, usually five to six babies per litter.  Babies are born blind and hairless above ground or in a shallow burrow and leave the nest after three weeks.  The desert cottontail rarely strays far from its birthplace.  The territory of the male can be up to fifteen acres while the female territory is only around one acre.

This was taken through my kitchen window and is very representative of the many rabbits that I see in my yard constantly. They are obviously quite numerous in the area.

This was taken on January 5, 2009. The rabbit is sitting next to the garage door and is trying to hide, since I came around the corner suddenly.

Rabbit sitting on my front sidewalk, eating grass at the edge of the snow.	Rabbit sitting in the corner of the house and front steps- trying to keep warm.