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Reproductive Characteristics | |
| Distribution Reproduction Habitat Threats Management Literature Cited |
Scrotal testes can be
observed in the male in early February and copulation can be observed in late February
(Scribner, 1982 pg17). Ovulation is induced by copulation (Lord, 1967 pg19). During
reproductive season, several males commonly follow a female in estrus. Females may
copulate more than one time during a breeding period, but do not always (Verts, 1997
pg1168). Breeding behavior is strongly biased towards females due to an unbalanced sex ratio among adults. This excludes a large proportion of males with low social rank from participating in the breeding population (Verts, 1997 pg1168). The female is capable of mating the same or next day after a litter is born (Burger, 1973 pgs12,48) and gestation is 26-28 days. Sylvilagus floridanus, like all rabbits (not to be confused with hares) are born naked, with their eyes closed and entirely helpless. Their eyes open in approx. one week and the litter leaves the nest within 10-20 days. The litter will stay in the vicinity of the nest to nurse after they have left the nest (Lord, 1967 pg19). There are 4-7 young in a litter and generally 3-4 litters in one season. The first litter of juvenile females can be observed lactating around 120 days of age (Scribner, 1982 pg17). Cottontails engage in superfetation, which allows them to reabsorb embryos if they become stressed. Many factors play a part in this, including food availability, predation and soil fertility. In Michigan, cottontails who lived on vegetation that grew on sandy, sterile soils doubled their population numbers from spring to fall. Population numbers, in turn, increased fivefold during the same period for cottontails 60km away on fertile soils. This great difference can also be observed in the size and bone strength of adults in different soil fertilities (Bolen, 1995 pg93). |