Marsh Rabbit: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Rabbits and Hares · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. The marsh rabbit often walks rather than hops, setting down one foot after another like a cat. It moves more easily through thick plants this way.
2. To hide, it can sink into muddy water with just its eyes and nose above the surface, ears pressed flat.
3. It is a superb swimmer. Compared with other cottontails, its back legs carry less fur and longer nails, which helps it paddle.
4. Once spotted, it does not just run. It slips into the water and swims fast to a new hiding place or a raft of floating plants.
5. In southern Florida, some marsh rabbits are completely black, and their coat stays black in every season.

The quiz

1. How does the marsh rabbit often move through thick plants?

• It walks one foot at a time, like a cat (correct)
• It slides on its belly
• It jumps from tree to tree
• It rolls into a ball

Walking on all fours makes it more agile in dense vegetation.

2. What shows above the water when a marsh rabbit hides in mud?

• Its tail only
• Its whole head and ears
• Just its eyes and nose (correct)
• Its back and tail

It stays underwater with only its eyes and nose out, ears flat.

3. What helps the marsh rabbit swim?

• Webbed front feet
• A flat tail like a beaver
• Extra thick fur on its legs
• Less fur and longer nails on its hind legs (correct)

Its hind legs carry less fur and longer nails than other cottontails.

4. What does a marsh rabbit do once it has been spotted?

• It climbs a tall tree
• It swims to a new hiding spot (correct)
• It stands still in the open
• It digs a deep burrow

It takes to the water and swims quickly to cover or floating plants.

5. What is special about some marsh rabbits in southern Florida?

• They are pure white
• They have spots
• They are fully black all year (correct)
• They turn white in winter

Some are completely black, and the colour does not change with the seasons.

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