Eastern Cottontail (Note: This is a mammal, not a bug/insect)
Scientific Name: Sylvilagus floridanus
Order & Family: Lagomorpha, Leporidae
Size: 15.5 to 18.75 inches long (adults); the specimen shown is a juvenile or kit.
Natural Habitat
Found in meadows, orchards, farmlands, and suburban area backyards with brushy cover.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivore; consumes grasses, clover, sprouts, and bark during winter months.
Behavior Patterns
Crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk); young are born in shallow nests in the ground and remain hidden until about 3 weeks old.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem as a primary prey species for many predators. Risks involve potential garden damage or carrying ticks/fleas.
Identified on: 5/25/2026