This shy and timid little rabbit leads a precarious existence in the sagebrush-covered valleys of the lower portions of the park. Its numerous enemies, especially the coyotes, foxes, bobcats, hawks and owls keep the cottontail constantly on the alert and seldom far from dense thickets or sheltering rocks. Its short legs are not a match for the speedy coyote and so artful dodging and hiding tactics must be resorted to.
The mother cottontail makes a nest, lined with her own fur, in a sheltered place where the young, born blind, naked and helpless, are placed. They grow rapidly and are soon able to run about and play, then it isn’t long until they are out on their own. There are usually several litters born each year; this helps keep up their numbers in spite of the inroads made by the various enemies.
Cottontail
General description: A small rabbit with short ears and legs. Upperparts of creamy-buff color lightly grizzled with gray. Tail short and fluffy, gray on top and white on underside. Total length 15 to 16 inches.
Where found: Most likely to be seen near Mammoth and in sagebrush flats along the Gardner River. Mainly found in the transition zone and lower. Most frequently out in the early morning, evening or during the night.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SNOWSHOE RABBIT
Lepus americanus bairdi
The Varying Hare or Snowshoe Rabbit is found throughout the higher parts of the mountains, fairly common but not abundant in numbers. Provided by nature with special adaptations, this rabbit is not bothered greatly by the winter storms and snow. Very large furry hind feet act as snowshoes enabling these rabbits to scamper readily over the snow without sinking in and thus are the basis for its common name.
Nature also provides these hares with a camouflage to help protect them from their enemies. Their summer coat of fur is dull brown in color which blends well with the forest floor, while in the winter they get a new coat of pure white, except for black ear tips, making them hardly distinguishable from the snow drifts over which they run. This varying color with the seasons is the source for the other name by which it is known.
These rabbits, like other members of the family, depend upon the foliage of plants and shrubbery as their principal food; however, when this is buried beneath the winter’s snow their diet is frequently mainly composed of the bark of bushes and small trees.