Biology of Penned Cottontail Rabbits

Abstract

Cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) were raised in 25- x 60-foot game-bird rearing pens during 1961-63 at Poynette, Wisconsin. Conception dates of first litters were less synchronized than those of Missouri cottontails. Nests were constructed from a week before to the day of parturition. Usually a new nest was built for each litter. Maternal care to young seemed to be limited to nursing and covering the nest after feeding. A mean of 2.9 litters per summer with an average of 4.9 young per litter was obtained in the study. Forty-four percent of the young died in their first month. Myiasis by the flesh fly (Wohlfahrtia vigil) was the most serious mortality factor during June and July. Adults had an average monthly mortality rate of 2.8%. Summer was the period of highest adult mortality.