Numbers of the New England Cottontail are dwindling, but what's causing the decline isn't clear.
Hi. This is Iain Macleod from New Hampshire Audubon, bringing you Something Wild.
Rabbits are famous for producing more rabbits, right? Well, you may be surprised to know that the population of New England cottontail rabbits has dwindled to almost nothing. Once common northeast of the Hudson River, this native species is now being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
What gives? The reasons for the decline are not entirely clear. The New England cottontail prefers to live in early successional forests, which have thick, brushy vegetation. Human development of this habitat is thought to be a major factor in the decline of the species, but there are others.
For example, exotic plant species, such as the multiflora rose, have pushed out native plants in the rabbits' habitat. These invasive plants may not provide the same food resources as the native species.
The increase in the whitetail deer population over the last century may be another problem. The deer eat the same foods as the rabbits, and overbrowsing may change the composition of the habitat to the point that it no longer has value for the rabbits.
But the biggest issue may actually be competition from other rabbits. The bunnies you may see in your yard are probably not our native New England cottontails.
In the 1920's, the eastern cottontail, which is native to areas west of the Hudson River, was introduced into New England. The two species of rabbits look virtually identical, and positive identification is only possible by testing DNA in fecal pellets. The introduced rabbits are more adaptable to a greater variety of habitats than the native rabbits. They also have better vision and can see predators sooner. This is how the eastern cottontail thrive, even as the New England cottontail declines.
In 2004, in the hopes of giving our native rabbits a chance to multiply, New Hampshire instituted hunting restrictions in areas currently dominated by New England cottontails. Only time will tell if this strategy will help.
Something Wild is a joint production of New Hampshire Audubon, New Hampshire Public Radio, and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. For Something Wild, I'm Iain Macleod.
