Friday, February 4, 2011

desert cottontail ~ 02/04/11 ~ Hatton Canyon

It's the year of the rabbit. Oy! I've had such a difficult time figuring out whether this is a desert cottontail or a brush rabbit. Along with the black-tailed jack rabbit, all three rabbit species are found in this area. Again, it's my belief that many online sites have their IDs incorrectly labeled, including popular photo sites... and, admittedly, my own Nature ID blog. I'm making this ID as a desert cottontail based on its behavior and the tuft of white showing in the pic above. Elkhorn Slough and

6 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

You're right. One would think they'd try to be as incognito as possible when fleeing. And surely the white flag of surrender wouldn't work well in his case. :)

Katie (Nature ID) said...

Thanks, twg. I'm starting to expect a comment from you every time I post.

Jeannette said...

My guess is that momma and poppa rabbits raise that white tail up to draw predators away from the young and defenseless... deer too.

Dawn said...

No idea about rabbits....all my mom told me is that I was never allowed to buy one as a pet because at the end of the week I would have a ton of them:)))

Anonymous said...

Dang that's CUTE!!!
Re tail flash: I know that in the case of deer it is said that it is a visible alarm signal to other family members.

The Field of Gold said...

Rabbits here in New Zealand are an imported pest. I have to completely fence them out and pay attention to rabbit proof gates etc.
Ours, presumably of English origin do the white tail flash and I alawys thought it odd.