Sylvilagus obscurus Chapman, Cramer, Deppenaar and Robinson, 1992
Appalachian Cottontail
Federal Protection: No US federal protection
State Protection: Rare
Global Rank: G4
State Rank: S1S2
Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes
SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
2025 SGCN Priority Tier: High Conservation Concern
Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 7
Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Brushy areas in mountains with northern hardwood or oak-hickory forests
The Appalachian cottontail is very similar in appearance to the familiar eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) but is slightly smaller with relatively short, round ears. The fur on the head and back is pinkish-buff to ocherous-buff overlaid with a distinct black wash of guard hairs and a black spot between the black-edged ears. The sides are paler buff with less of a black wash. The belly is whitish to light gray and the nape is rusty. Appalachian cottontails are about 385 - 430 mm (15 - 17 inches) long with ears up to 60mm (2½ inches) long. They weigh 0.8 - 1.3 kg (1¾ - 2¾ pounds).
This species is essentially identical in appearance to the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis), from which it was recently separated taxonomically. The easiest way to distinguish the two is by range. The New England cottontail is found east of the Hudson River in New England; the Appalachian cottontail occurs west and south of the Hudson River. As already noted, New England cottontail is also similar in appearance to the eastern cottontail. However, eastern cottontail has less of a pinkish appearance and less black streaking. Also, its ears are longer, more pointed, and edged in buff or white. There is also usually a white spot on the forehead. Examination of skull characteristics is usually necessary to distinguish positively between these two rabbits. The skull of Appalachian cottontail displays jagged, irregular posterior margins on the nasal bones, and the post-orbital processes are slender and tapered, often touching the skull over their entire length. Also, the auditory bullae are smaller and lack bony spurs. In contrast, eastern cottontail has more smooth posterior nasal margins, the post-orbital process is more broad and flat, and the auditory bullae are larger and have spurs.
At higher elevations, the Appalachian cottontail is strictly associated with conifers and dense cover. Areas maintained by periodic fires are preferred with heaths, especially vaccinium and kalmia.
The Appalachian cottontail is known to frequent brushy areas in high elevation boreal forests and might reach highest densities in 5- to 10-year-old clearcuts. In Georgia, Appalachian cottontails have been found only at elevations greater than 914 m (3,000 feet) on balds or in boreal forest habitats with heavy mountain laurel and blueberry shrub cover in the mountains of Rabun, Union, Towns, and Fannin counties.
During the spring and summer, their diet consists mainly of forbs with some grasses and woody material. In the northern parts of the range, woody material makes up the majority of their diet and when snow is present they can subside entirely on the needles of evergreen trees.
In preparation for bearing kits, Appalachian cottontails will prepare a nest made of grass, fur, twigs, and leaves in a depression in the ground. They produce 3 - 4 litters of 3 - 8 young (5 average) from late winter until late summer; the gestation period is 28 days. The young leave the fur-lined nest when they are around 2 weeks old. Juveniles have the potential to breed, but most individuals breed in their second season. These rabbits are primarily nocturnal and rarely venture far from dense cover. The home range varies from about 0.2- 0.8 hectare (0.5 - 2 acres), sometimes in a linear arrangement to fit available habitat. Predators that take rabbits include hawks, owls, foxes, and bobcats.
Trapping in potentially suitable habitat followed by careful examination of specimens is the best way to confirm the presence of this species. A recent study conducted by Petrick et al. (2019) introduced the possibility to survey this species noninvasively by extracting mtDNA from fecal samples. This method may be useful in surveying a larger range of areas than live-trapping.
This woodland rabbit lives in small, scattered populations ranging from New York's Hudson River area south throughout the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern U.S., including the highlands of Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. In Alabama and South Carolina, Appalachian cottontail has been found at elevations as low as 305 m (1,000 ft), and in North Carolina at 427 m (1,400 ft). Most likely, the Appalachian cottontail expanded its range southward during the last period of glaciation, and scattered refugial populations were left behind as the climate warmed, and the glaciers and associated boreal vegetation began retreating about 10,000 years ago. The Alabama population appears to be particularly disjunct. A very similar woodland rabbit, the New England cottontail, occurs in boreal habitats east of the Hudson River. In fact, woodland cottontails from Alabama to Maine were long considered to belong to a single species, the New England cottontail. In 1992, due to differences in skull measurements and chromosome count, Appalachian cottontail was separated into a distinct species. Original geographic separation of the two species was probably glacier-related. However, more recent analysis of mitochondrial DNA does not support the separation into two species, so the taxonomy is in question.
Appalachian cottontails are naturally rare in Georgia because the North Georgia mountains are at the extreme southern end of the species' range, and because populations are isolated in fragments of suitable high elevation habitat. Although population declines have been noted in states to the north, little is known about historic and present Appalachian cottontail population levels in Georgia because they are rare, secretive, and difficult to identify positively. Habitat disturbance has been a major factor resulting in the decline of this species in most of its range. Wooded areas have been replaced and encroached upon by fields, roadways, and residential development which encourages the ubiquitous and adaptable eastern cottontail to expand its range and usurp areas formerly occupied by Appalachian cottontails. Even as preferred habitat is restored in parts of its range, eastern cottontails continue to displace the Appalachian cottontail. West Virginia is home to some of the most prolific populations of Appalachian cottontails; however, this stronghold is also threatened by human encroachment and the invasion of exotic plants. Despite their population numbers being somewhat uncertain, they remain a legal species to hunt and trap.
Because of their small, disjunct populations, a threat to this species are natural events. Having fragmented populations allows for easier local extinction as there would not be individuals close enough to repopulate an area after human-caused or natural events.
Due to their patchy distribution, decreasing habitat, and low number of recent sightings, the IUCN Red List has listed the Appalachian cottontail as a near threatened species. It is suspected that there was at least a 25-30% decline in population numbers within the past 10 years, but lack of data makes population numbers difficult to assess.
| Threat 1 | Threat 2 | Threat 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Threat | Natural system modifications | Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Biological resource use |
| Specific Threat | Other ecosystem modifications | Problematic species/diseases of unknown origin | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals |
Within Georgia the Appalachian cottontail is recognized to be imperiled with a state ranking of S1S2. In Georgia, most habitat is on the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Since little is known about this species in Georgia, needed conservation measures are difficult to address. Maintaining suitable habitat and minimizing avenues whereby eastern cottontails can encroach and compete are probably the most important measures that can be taken. Improving habitat quality for this species is important and could include management practices such as thinning to promote the growth of a thick understory. Additionally, it is possible that greater human inhabitation of Appalachian cottontail habitat could lead to increased predation from feral house cats. Rabbit hunting should not be a significant source of mortality since this sport is typically practiced in habitat more suitable for eastern cottontails. More research is recommended to better understand how to protect this species.
Chapman, J. A. 1975. Sylvilagus transitionalis. Mammalian Species 55: 1-4.
Chapman, J. A. and J. R. Stauffer. 1981. The status and distribution of the New England cottontail. Pages 973-983 in K. Meyers and D. D. MacInnes (eds.). Proceedings of the World Lagomorph Conference, University of Guelph, Ontario.
Chapman, J. A., K. L. Cramer, N. J. Dippenaar, and T. J. Robinson. 1992. Systematics and biogeography of the New England cottontail, Sylvilagus transitionalis (Bangs, 1895), with the description of a new species from the Appalachian Mountains. Proceedings Biological Society of Washington 105: 841-866.
Laerm, J. 1993. The elusive mountain rabbit. Georgia Wildlife 3(3): 50-56.
Litvaitis, M. K., J. A. Litvaitis, W. J. Lee, and T. D. Kocher. 1997. Variation in the mitochondrial DNA of the Sylvilagus complex occupying the northeastern United States. Canada Journal of Zoology 75: 595-605.
Trani, M. K., W. M. Ford, and B. R. Chapman. 2007. The land manager’s guide to mammals of the South. The Nature Conservancy, Durham, North Carolina. 566 pp.
Whitaker, J. O., Jr., and W. J. Hamilton, Jr. 1998. Mammals of the eastern United States. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, New York. 583 pp.
Jim Ozier
J. Ozier, August 2008: Original Account
K. Owers, November 2009: Updated status and ranks, added picture
S. Krueger, March 2020: Reviewed for final