Species › Mammals › Marsh Rabbit

Marsh Rabbit

Sylvilagus palustris

CommonMammal
Illustration of Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)

The Marsh Rabbit is a dark, semi-aquatic cottontail of the southeastern coastal plain that enters water readily to escape predators and forage on aquatic vegetation. Unlike other cottontails, it shows little white on its tail, uses a crouched, cat-like gait when moving, and swims powerfully. It is strongly tied to freshwater and brackish marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Habitat
Freshwater and brackish marshes, swamp margins, and wet thickets
Diet
Marsh grasses, cattails, and aquatic vegetation
How common
Common

Best time to see a Marsh Rabbit

The best time to see a Marsh Rabbit is February–June, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,687 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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