Family: Leporidae, Hares and Rabbits view all from this family

Description Grayish brown above; white below. Black-tipped ears, densely furred inside. L 13 3/4–15 3/8" (350–390 mm); T 1 3/4–2" (44–50 mm); HF 3 1/2–3 7/8" (88–100 mm); E 2 1/8–2 1/2" (54–65 mm); Wt 1 1/2–2 1/4 lb (700–1,000 g).

Similar Species Desert Cottontail’s ears, sometimes longer, lack black tips and are sparsely furred inside.

Breeding Mates February–July; 2–5 litters per year, each of 3–8 young.

Habitat Rocky wooded or brushy areas, often with sagebrush.

Range Extreme sc British Columbia and e Washington south to e California, and east through s Saskatchewan, Montana, and n New Mexico.

Discussion The Mountain Cottontail rests in forms when dense vegetation is available; otherwise it uses burrows and rocky crevices for shelter. It prefers grass but lives most of the year on sagebrush and will eat juniper berries. The young are born in a hair-lined cup nest and weaned at about one month. Predators include the Bobcat, the Coyote, owls, and hawks.