NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBITSylvilagus transitionalis
Cottontails are the predominant species of rabbits found in eastern North America. New England Cottontails are currently a protected species due to their decrease in numbers. The other similar species are hares. Most domesticated rabbits are actually hares. Their are some differences between the two. Rabbits are born hairless, and cannot see. Hares are born ready for self subsistance. The other species of rabbit found in nymbers in New England are Eastern Cottontails. They are very hard to tell apart, and in some cases impossible just by casual observation.
New England Cottontails generally have a dark spot between their ears and almost always (95%) have a dark line on the front of their ears. Eastern Cottontails also may have these markings but with much less frequency. Also, Easterns may have a white spot between their ears and New Englands never do. New England Cottontails also have shorter ears and their skull size is slightly smaller.
There were rabbits everywhere when I took this picture in Rutland State Park. They are cute little guys and absolutely freeze when they see you see them. Then, it is a stealth game to get close enought to take their picture.
