The Desert Cottontail is a pale, long-eared cottontail adapted to the arid scrublands and deserts of western North America. It is most active at dawn and dusk, retreating to shade or burrows during the hottest parts of the day to avoid heat stress. Desert cottontails can produce up to five litters per year, making them a critical prey species across the food web.
Best time to see a Desert Cottontail
The best time to see a Desert Cottontail is March–July, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 44,041 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Desert Cottontail sightings near you
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