Throughout Southern California, cottontail rabbits can be a real nuisance. Despite their adorable demeanor to some folks, the damage they do can be fairly costly. Today, we at Animal Pest Management would like to discuss the fundamentals of cottontail rabbits and why they are such a pest.
Cottontail Rabbits Population
Found all over North and South America, cottontail rabbits are wild rabbits and as they reside all over the United States, they are easily adaptable in warmer and colder climates. They will move on to live in a more suitable area if no food is available where they are, though they are sometimes considered more of a pest by farmers.
How to Identify Cottontail Rabbits
Cottontail rabbits are so named due to the underside of their tails that curls up against the lower back and is white; much like a small piece of cotton. Their tails remain the same regardless of the varying colors from gray to reddish brown. Cottontail rabbits are especially small, ranging in size from 15 to 19 inches in length and weigh around 28 ounces, and however, males can weigh up to 54 ounces.
Where Do Cottontail Rabbits Live?
These animals typically only survive for 2-3 years because they are prey to so many predatory animals. Cottontail rabbits learn early on how to hide and burrow effectively to try and stay alive; as a result, they are frequently hunkering down in tunnels or cavities under bushes. Cottontail rabbits use a zigzag running patterns and can reach speeds of up to 18 miles an hour when fleeing from a predator. Cottontail rabbits can be found anywhere from forests to open fields to grassy areas in general, as long as there are enough shrubs for them to use as hiding spaces because they do live all over the continent. Their diet consists of mostly grass and herbs, which makes the grassy, leafy spaces an excellent place for their eating habits.
How Do Cottontail Rabbits Communicate?
Almost completely mute animals, cottontail rabbits communicate with each other by thumping with their back feet against the ground. If caught by a predator however, they have been known for screaming and screeching quite loudly. Cottontail rabbits tend to have a fairly small home range. Most rabbits live in an area that’s about 9 acres in size, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Rabbits Eat Grass & Damage Yards
Where they can be an issue outside of farmland cottontail rabbits are especially an issue for HOA landscaping. Expensive damage to turf and shrubs are subject to their reign of terror. As the running joke continues, cottontail rabbits multiply quickly; they average 3-4 young per litter and they can have up to 6 litters a year. These rodents can potentially carry disease and parasite. Hiring a professional pest control company is recommended, though it is to control cottontail rabbits by lethal means when they are causing damage to property.
Cottontail Rabbit Inspections, Control & Removal in San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & San Diego Counties, California
You may notice damage to your property when you have cottontail rabbit infestations. The vegetations and any gardens are stripped and the presence of their droppings is noted. The droppings are small pellets that pile up fast. All of these are indicators that you have a cotton tail rabbit infestation. When you note these issues, call Animal Pest Management and let our experts take care of them.
