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Domestic Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Photo by keithp2012
Published on Project Noah
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40.6993, -73.3538

Field Notes

Description:

Found in a vegetable garden where wild rabbits visit. I am not sure if this is a light colored Eastern Cottontail, or a pet turned loose.

Habitat:

Vegetable garden near field.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)

This is a domestic rabbit, not a cottontail. Cottontails with this coloration will almost always have red eyes, as they have a recessive mutation in the pathway that allows them to make eumelanin (the dark brown vertebrate pigment). This little guy has pigmented eyes, and his feet are too big to belong to a cottontail (even as adults, cottie feets can fit on a dime). His ears are also too big for the typical cottontail, and his body is shaped like our old pal, Oryctolagus cuniculus. By now he's grown up, and no more mystery. :)
Domestic or light colored wild rabbit? We have Eastern Cottontails here and this was near one in a field
here is a photo of a confirmed eastern cottontail with similar coloring. http://www.nebraskawildliferehab.org/graphics/wildlife/photo_gallery/photos/albino_eastern_cottontail_rabbit_summer_2004.jpg
Possibly, Keith, though I have never seen something leucistic such a blondish color.
might this be a leucistic eastern cottontail?
That little guy is adorable.

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