Hobbies And Interests
Height and Weight
The cottontail is a stocky rabbit and weighs between 1 3/4 lbs. and 3 3/4 lbs. on average. The typical length of the animal ranges from 15 1/2 inches to 18 3/4 inches, according to National Geographic.
Limbs
Cottontail rabbits are built for speed, as they can travel up to 18 mph. The long hindquarter limbs of the cottontail help make it fast, while the short front legs help its balance. Long ears help make the cottontail more aerodynamic and enhance its auditory abilities. The cottontail has large paws that it uses to thump the ground and warn other rabbits of nearby predators.
Coat
At first glance a cottontail rabbit will look gray or brownish gray in color. In actuality the cottontail's exterior fur is a blend of white, gray, brown and black. Its undercoat is usually white. The cottontail has two specific markings: a brown spot will appear at the nape of the neck and the underside of the rabbit's tail will be white. The fur of a cottontail is long and coarse.
Tracks
The cottontail can also be identified by the tracks it leaves behind. Cottontail rabbits don't have large toe pads on their paws and their paws are mostly fur covered. These features make it easy for the cottontail rabbit to slip in and out of an area almost undetected. The front paw track of a cottontail will be no more than 1 1/2 inches. The rear track will be no more than 1 1/4 inches.