Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Cottontail rabbit
Sylvilagus aquaticus
Sylvilagus auduboni
Sylvilagus bachmani
Sylvilagus brasiliensis
Sylvilagus cunicularis
Sylvilagus dicei
Sylvilagus floridanus
Sylvilagus graysoni
Sylvilagus insonus
Sylvilagus mansuetus
Sylvilagus nuttallii
Sylvilagus palustris
Sylvilagus transitionalis
The cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus) are a genus of American lagomorphs in the family Leporidae, in appearance closely similar to the wild European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cunicularis). Most members of the genus have a stub tail with a white underside that shows when they are retreating, and this is what gives them their name. However, this feature is not present in all cottontails (for example, the underside of the Brush Rabbit's tail is grey), nor is it unique to the genus - the European Rabbit also has a white scut.
The genus is widely distributed across North America, though most species are confined to particular regions. Most (though not all) species live in burrows, and all have altricial young.
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