Desert Cottontail - Sylvilagus audubonii
Desert Cottontail Photo - Desert Cottontail--With sagebrush and prickly pear in background
Global Rank:
G5
State Rank:
S4
Agency Status
USFWS:
none
USFS:
none
BLM:
none
CFWCS Tier:
3
General Description
The information for this species is not complete. We hope to have it available soon.
Distribution
Montana Range
Migration
Non-migratory.
Habitat
Arid grasslands and sagebrush areas. In badlands and sagebrush coulees. Nests are pear-shaped excavations in the ground, cavity lined with vegetation and fur.
Ecology
In Central and Eastern MT sympatric with MT Cottontail which uses riparian. In SW MT, S. audubonii is not present and S. idahoensis and S. nuttallii are sympatric on its typical habitat.
Reproductive Characteristics
Circi-annual breeding in warmer climates, probably breeds Apr-Jul in Montana. Ave. 2.6-3.6 young/litter. 5 litters/ year in AZ, probably less in MT. Sexual maturity as early as day 80. (A78CHA01).
Citations & Sources