Description ²

Marsh rabbits are medium-sized rabbits with short, rounded ears and small feet. They are dark brown to reddish brown with a dark belly. The characteristic that distinguishes S. palustris from all other cottontail rabbits is the dark color of the underside of their tail. Other cottontail rabbits have white undersides to their tails. Marsh rabbits have sparse fur and long toenails on their hindfeet.

Habitat ³

Marsh rabbits are semi-aquatic and require vegetation near a permanent source of water.

Conservation status ⁴

Lower Key marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) are endangered due to habitat fragmentation.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Tomfriedel, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Marsh_Rabbit.jpg
2. Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31425356
3. Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31425355
4. Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31425365

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• AMCELA
• Animal Diversity Web
• ASM Mammal Diversity Database
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• iNaturalist Mammal Working Group
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• VertNet

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