Wildlife Biologist
Well-Known Member
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Decline in Alabama
Introduction:
Native rabbits are widely distributed across Alabama. The Eastern cottontail rabbit is the most abundant of four species found in Alabama. The other three species are the swamp rabbit, marsh rabbit and the Appalachian cottontail. Rabbits typically are found and thrive in disturbed areas where development produces early successional plant communities and brushy edges with a dense understory. These preferred habitats are located along agricultural fields and woodlands. Based on harvest surveys, population studies, road-kill studies, and general observations, it’s apparent that rabbit populations have been declining in Alabama since the 1960s. The frequency of observed road-killed cottontails in Alabama has declined in conjunction with the declining cottontail harvest since the late 1970s indicating a substantial population decline. Let’s explore some general background information (reproduction, preferred habitat) and issues contributing to declining populations of the eastern cottontail rabbit.
Reproduction:
In Alabama rabbit breeding season begins in February and continues into late September or October. Females generally create a small depression in a mix of low, dense grasses and weeds for nesting. These are often located around field and wooded edges. Breeding can start at 2-5 months. The gestation period can vary from 25-35 days but is typically around 28 days. The female rabbit breeds within hours of giving birth. The typical litter size is 3-5, with the largest litters generally born in May and June. Young rabbits normally stay in the nest for 2-3 weeks. Females may produce three to five litters per year. Approximately 50% of the young survive to leave the nest and less than 50% of those survive until fall. Rabbits generally have a life expectancy in the wild of 12 to 15 months and about one rabbit in 100 lives through a third fall. Why? The answer is almost exclusively predation. Rabbit predators are many. However, if favorable habitat is present; predators, disease, weather, automobile road-kills, harvest by hunting and other mortality factors combine to control rabbit populations.
Preferred Habitat:
The cottontail’s home range is generally less than 10 acres and they prefer diversity in agricultural and forest land. They often spend their entire lives in this small area, provided the habitat requirements are met. Although on occasion they move up to a mile in order to meet habitat requirements. Limited food supply is generally the motivation behind the relocation. Rabbits prefer a mix of low, dense grasses and weeds for nesting. Primary foods include but are not limited to: legumes, grasses, grass seeds, succulent twigs, tender leaves, fruits, and flowers. They require dense escape cover such as honeysuckle, blackberry/dewberry thickets and brush piles. The interspersal of preferred habitat components will minimize travel and exposure to predators. Timely prescribe burning improves habitat conditions. Field corners, overgrown fencerows and drainage ditches within and around row crop fields make good cottontail habitat if maintained in early successional plant communities. Cottontails prefer to bed in denser vertical and horizontal vegetation than surrounding areas but will select even thicker microhabitats to minimize effects of inclement weather.
Rabbit population densities can vary greatly with habitat quality and predator density but one rabbit per acre is a reasonable average.
Predation:
Predators are the primary limiting factor in favorable rabbit habitats. These predators are the same as seen in bobwhite quail predation.
As with bobwhite quail, predators can be placed in three categories:
- Nest predators such but not limited to as raccoons (coons), opossums (possums) and skunks (stripped & spotted),
- Carnivore predators such as bobcats, foxes (red & grey) and coyotes and
- Avian (raptor) predators such as hawks, owls, and even eagles.
Loss of Habitat:
Loss of habitat combined with predation is considered the primary limiting factors for the decline in eastern cottontail rabbit populations in Alabama and throughout the South. The previously discussed preferred habitats are being reduced or loss and this has been occurring at an alarming rate that started in the 1960s.
Indeed dwindling rabbit populations share the plight of bobwhite quail. Just as with bobwhite quail, changes in forestry and agricultural land uses are recognized factors influencing rabbit decline. Agricultural and forestry lands have been planted in pines resulting in loss and change of habitat. Much of the preferred rabbit habitat on farmland has been destroyed by changing farming operations. Urbanization and non-agricultural uses of land that was once prime rabbit habitat with sustainable rabbit populations have also caused loss of habitat.
Conclusions:
Because of the aforementioned reasons, eastern cottontail rabbit populations in Alabama and throughout the Southeast are in peril. It is unlikely the issues of broad habitat loss and degradation will stop. Certainly there is insufficient predator control. Rabbit populations will continue on a downward spiral in not only Alabama but other States throughout their range in the Southeast. Unfortunately, in my opinion, we will never see large numbers again. However on State and federal owned lands as well as private lands where effective habitat and predator control is practiced, sustainable populations are obtainable.
