The average of the longest distance traveled between captures for cottontails whose entire home ranges were thought to have been sampled was 900 feet for males and 684 feet for females. The average of the maximum distance across the home range for cottontails whose home range had been thoroughly sampled was 1019 feet for males, and 936 feet for females.
The home range is used by the cottontail in different ways, depending on the needs of the individual and the condition of the habitat. In uniform habitat the home range is roughly circular and is used most near its center and least toward its periphery. The entire home range is traversed every four or five days. The center of the home range has been called the "center of activity" (Connell, 1954).
In habitat of alternating woodland and grassland, such as that on the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation, two centers of activity often developed in the home range of a cottontail, at opposite edges of a tract of woodland. The individual concentrated its movements near one center for three to five days then moved to the other center. Pursuit by a predator, random movement, or other cause may be responsible for shift from one edge to another.
PLATE 45
Fig. 1. "House Field" viewed from the northeast corner, looking southwest, March 3, 1956, showing the condition of vegetation in winter. Traps were operated on a 50-foot grid throughout this area.
Fig. 2. Same area as above, on July 10, 1956, showing the condition of vegetation in summer.
PLATE 46
