Three species
of cottontail occur in Arizona: the mountain
cottontail, eastern cottontail, and desert
cottontail. The smallest of these (22-30
ounces) is the relatively short-eared mountain
cottontail, which is largely restricted to
elevations above 7,500 feet from the Mogollon
Rim northward. The generally larger eastern
cottontail (28-52 ounces) is found in the
mountains of southeastern and central Arizona
where it occupies many of the same habitats
as the Coues white-tailed deer. The most
abundant and important rabbit by far, however,
is the desert cottontail (26.5-44 ounces),
which is found in every county in the state
up to elevations exceeding 7,000 feet.
Natural History
Despite, or perhaps because of, their relative abundance, little is known
about the life histories of Arizona cottontails. Only one study has been
conducted on desert cottontails, and none on eastern and mountain cottontails.
Although we know that cottontail rabbits may vary from amazing abundance
in one year to relative scarcity the next, we have little insight as to
what factors other than winter rainfall control their numbers. Promiscuous
and prolific, cottontails feeding on green growth may have up to five litters
of two to four young a year. But, although the desert cottontail is able
to breed throughout the year, most young rabbits are produced in spring
when the new growth of plants is most available. At other times of the
year, selected foods include twigs, newly emerging grasses, weeds, and
even cacti. Cottontails rarely drink, and free water does not appear to
be a requirement for either their survival or reproduction.
Hunting and Trapping History
The cottontail hunting season has always been year-long in Arizona, and
the bag limit has been 10 rabbits per day for many years. Although some
hunters consider cottontail hunting with a .22 rifle as their primary sport,
cottontails traditionally have been taken in Arizona in conjunction with
dove and quail hunting. As a consequence of the wide fluctuations in both
cottontail and quail numbers, the annual take of cottontails is highly
erratic, ranging from a reported high of about 850,000 rabbits in 1979
to less than 56,000 in 1998. The mean number of hunters reportedly hunting
this animal during the past 10 years has been 18,662, and their average
take has been 91,915 rabbits per year.
Habitat
