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Eastern Cottontail

Sylvilagus floridanus

Mammal · family Leporidae · order Lagomorpha

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Eastern Cottontail
Photo: The High Fin Sperm Whale, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
38 states[3]
Longest recorded life
9.8 years[4]

The Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is a mammal in the rabbit and hare family, Leporidae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act and NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide[1][2].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Eastern Cottontail a global rank of G5 (Secure) and a US national rank of N5 (Secure)[2][6]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1]. Not being listed under the ESA is a fact about the law and does not by itself describe how many animals there are. NatureServe also notes that it is spreading into areas beyond its past range[7].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)

Where Eastern Cottontail lives

NatureServe lists the Eastern Cottontail as native in 38 US states and territories, including Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming[3]. It is listed as introduced, meaning not native, in Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont and Washington[8]. Among the states with the most GBIF observation records are Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois and Florida, but those counts follow where people look and report, not population size[9].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: native, state rank S5WIVermont: introduced, state rank SNAVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: introduced, state rank SNAWAIdaho: introduced, state rank SNAIDMontana: native, state rank SUMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5NYMassachusetts: introduced, state rank SNAMAOregon: introduced, state rank SNAORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: native, state rank S3WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5SDIowa: native, state rank S5IAIndiana: native, state rank S5INOhio: native, state rank SNROHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5PANew Jersey: native, state rank S5NJConnecticut: native, state rank S5CTRhode Island: native, state rank S5RICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: native, state rank S5CONebraska: native, state rank S5NEMissouri: native, state rank S5MOKentucky: native, state rank S5KYWest Virginia: native, state rank S5WVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S5MDDelaware: native, state rank S5DEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: native, state rank S5KSArkansas: native, state rank S5ARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S5DCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S5LAMississippi: native, state rank S5MSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5TXFlorida: native, state rank SNRFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[10].
Show state ranks (43 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
ArkansasS5Secure
ColoradoS5Secure
ConnecticutS5Secure
DelawareS5Secure
District of ColumbiaS5Secure
FloridaSNRNot Ranked
GeorgiaS5Secure
IdahoSNANot Applicable
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS5Secure
IowaS5Secure
KansasS5Secure
KentuckyS5Secure
LouisianaS5Secure
MarylandS5Secure
MassachusettsSNANot Applicable
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRNot Ranked
MississippiS5Secure
MissouriS5Secure
MontanaSUUnrankable
NebraskaS5Secure
New HampshireS5Secure
New JerseyS5Secure
New YorkS5Secure
North CarolinaS5Secure
North DakotaSNRNot Ranked
OhioSNRNot Ranked
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonSNANot Applicable
PennsylvaniaS5Secure
Rhode IslandS5Secure
South CarolinaS5Secure
South DakotaS5Secure
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS5Secure
VermontSNANot Applicable
VirginiaS5Secure
WashingtonSNANot Applicable
West VirginiaS5Secure
WisconsinS5Secure
WyomingS3Vulnerable

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for this rabbit, such as hardwood and mixed woodland, shrubland, grassland, old fields, cropland and hedgerows, suburbs and orchards, and riparian areas (land beside streams and rivers)[11]. It is described as a very adaptable species of brushy areas, open woods, swampy areas and suburbs[12]. You will usually not find it in boreal (far northern) habitats or in dense woods[12]. It nests in shallow hollows in thick plants or in underground burrows, but it does not dig burrows itself[12].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[11]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Eastern Cottontail is a herbivore, meaning it eats plants[13]. In summer it depends on grasses and herbs, and in winter it eats seedlings, bark, twigs and buds[14]. NatureServe records a typical length of 46 cm (18 in)[15] and a typical adult weight of 4 lb[16]. Females can have several litters a year, with litters of 3 to 6 young[17]. Gestation lasts about 30 days[18].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 46 cm (18 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 1.8 kg (4 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 9.8 years (captivity)
Litter or clutch size[19] 5
Gestation or incubation[18] 30 days
Female maturity[20] 123 days (about 0.3 years)
Food habits[13] Herbivore
Active[21] nocturnal, crepuscular
Migration[22] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[23]

  • 100% other plant material

When to look for it

This rabbit is mostly crepuscular, which means it is active around dawn and dusk[24][25]. NatureServe notes two pronounced feeding periods, one in the morning after sunrise and one in the evening after sunset[24]. It is listed as a non-migrant, although populations can differ[22]. GBIF observation records in the US peak in May, June and July, which reflects when people look and report more than how many animals there are[26].

January: 3,332 recordsJanFebruary: 3,782 recordsFebMarch: 6,483 recordsMarApril: 17,811 recordsAprMay: 21,271 recordsMayJune: 21,134 recordsJunJuly: 19,166 recordsJulAugust: 11,226 recordsAugSeptember: 7,946 recordsSepOctober: 4,429 recordsOctNovember: 3,302 recordsNovDecember: 3,296 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[26].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January3,332
February3,782
March6,483
April17,811
May21,271
June21,134
July19,166
August11,226
September7,946
October4,429
November3,302
December3,296

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Eastern Cottontail as present in 114 park units[27]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 90 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Florida[9]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Eastern Cottontail endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally and N5 (Secure) nationally[2][6].
Where does the Eastern Cottontail live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 38 US states and territories, from Texas and Florida to New York and Montana[3]. It is introduced in Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont and Washington[8].
What does the Eastern Cottontail eat?
It is a herbivore[13]. In summer it eats grasses and herbs, and in winter it eats seedlings, bark, twigs and buds[14].
How big is an Eastern Cottontail?
NatureServe records a typical length of 46 cm (18 in)[15] and a typical adult weight of 4 lb[16].

Facts and sources

  1. Eastern Cottontail is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Eastern Cottontail: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Eastern Cottontail as native in 38 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 9.8 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is a mammal in the family Leporidae, order Lagomorpha. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. NatureServe notes on trend for Eastern Cottontail. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe lists Eastern Cottontail as introduced (not native) in: Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont, Washington. NatureServe Explorer
  9. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Eastern Cottontail: Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Florida. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  10. NatureServe state ranks for Eastern Cottontail (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  11. Habitat types NatureServe records for Eastern Cottontail: Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Grassland/herbaceous, Old field, Cropland/hedgerow, Suburban/orchard, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on habitat for Eastern Cottontail. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Herbivore. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for Eastern Cottontail. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 46 cm (18 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 1.8 kg (4 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Eastern Cottontail. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 30 days. AnAge
  19. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 5. AnAge
  20. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 123 days (about 0.3 years). AnAge
  21. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: nocturnal, crepuscular. EltonTraits 1.0
  22. NatureServe migration category for Eastern Cottontail: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  23. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 100% other plant material. EltonTraits 1.0
  24. NatureServe notes on phenology for Eastern Cottontail. NatureServe Explorer
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Circadian, Crepuscular. NatureServe Explorer
  26. GBIF observation records of Eastern Cottontail in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  27. NPSpecies park lists recording Eastern Cottontail as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: The High Fin Sperm Whale, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.