Types of Rabbits in Pennsylvania

1. What are the most common rabbit species in Pennsylvania?

The Eastern Cottontail (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) is by far the most widespread rabbit in Pennsylvania. You'll find it in fields, backyards, and edges of woodlands across the state. The Snowshoe Hare (*Lepus americanus*) is common in the northern forests, while the Appalachian Cottontail (*Sylvilagus obscurus*) lives in higher elevations of the southern mountains. A fourth species, the New England Cottontail, is rare and limited to a few southeastern spots.

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2. How can you tell the difference between an Eastern Cottontail and a Snowshoe Hare?

Eastern Cottontails stay brownish all year and have a short, white tail that flips up when they run. Snowshoe Hares turn white in winter and have much longer ears and hind legs. In summer, hares are a darker brown with a grayish belly. Eastern Cottontails also have a distinctive white forehead spot that hares lack. Check the feet: Snowshoe Hares have oversized, fur-covered hind feet for snow travel.

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3. Where and when are you most likely to see each rabbit type in Pennsylvania?

Eastern Cottontails are active year-round, most visible at dawn and dusk in open fields and suburban edges. Snowshoe Hares favor conifer swamps and boreal forests in the northern tier, especially from October to March when their white coat contrasts. Appalachian Cottontails stick to rocky mountaintops in the south, most often seen in July and August when they forage in blueberry patches.

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4. What about the more elusive types like the Appalachian Cottontail?

The Appalachian Cottontail is the trickiest to spot. It lives only above 2,000 feet in the Appalachian Mountains, specifically in the Tuscarora and Allegheny ranges. It looks nearly identical to the Eastern Cottontail, but its ears are slightly shorter and it has a black spot between its eyes. Your best bet is to look in high-elevation clearings with dense rhododendron cover.

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5. How do rabbit populations vary across Pennsylvania's regions?

Eastern Cottontails dominate the central and southern counties. Snowshoe Hares are primarily in the northern counties like Potter, Tioga, and Pike. The Appalachian Cottontail is restricted to the southern mountain ridges. The New England Cottontail barely hangs on in a small area around the Delaware Water Gap. In general, habitat loss has reduced hare populations, but cottontails remain steady in agricultural zones.

6. What should you look for when identifying rabbits in the field?

Start with the tail. Cottontails flash a bright white cotton ball when they run. Hares have a smaller, darker tail. Check ear length: Eastern Cottontails have ears about 2.5 inches, Snowshoe Hares about 3.5 inches. Look at the hind feet: hares leave huge tracks in snow. In winter, white fur is a giveaway for hares. Also note the habitat: briar patches and hedgerows often hold cottontails, while hares prefer dense conifers.