Smith Island cottontail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smith Island cottontail |
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| Conservation status | |
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Extinct (1987)
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Lagomorpha |
| Family: | Leporidae |
| Genus: | Sylvilagus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
†S. f. hitchensi
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| Trinomial name | |
| Sylvilagus floridanus hitchensi Mearns, 1911
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The Smith Island cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus hitchensi) was a special type of Eastern cottontail rabbit. It was also known as Smith's Island cottontail or Hitchen's cottontail. This rabbit mainly lived on two islands at the very end of the Delmarva Peninsula in Virginia, USA. Sadly, it is now believed to be extinct.
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About the Smith Island Cottontail
The Smith Island cottontail was a unique kind of rabbit. Some scientists thought it was very similar to other rabbits. However, others believed it was quite different and special.
This rabbit lived on Smith Island and Fisherman Island in Virginia. Its living area, called a home range, was about 5.5 acres. It might have also lived on the mainland or other nearby islands. The name "Hitchen's cottontail" was given to honor Captain George D. Hitchens. He was in charge of the life-saving station on Smith Island.
Why Did the Smith Island Cottontail Disappear?
Scientists looked for the Smith Island cottontail on Smith and Fisherman Islands in 1987 and around 1991. They did not find any of these rabbits. This means the Smith Island cottontail is very likely extinct.
Some rabbits seen recently on the islands might be other types of cottontails. These could have been brought to the islands by people. Experts have suggested studying these rabbits to see if they are the original Smith Island cottontail or a different kind.
Even though it was likely extinct, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service considered it a "Species of Concern" until 2007. This meant they were worried about its survival.
What Did the Smith Island Cottontail Look Like?
The Smith Island cottontail looked a bit like another rabbit called Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus. However, the Smith Island cottontail was lighter in color. Its brown fur was not as bright, and it did not have a black stripe on its ears. Its fur was also thicker and rougher. This made it look a bit "shaggy."
These rabbits were usually between 400 to 477 millimeters (about 16 to 19 inches) long. They weighed from 842 to 1533 grams (about 1.8 to 3.4 pounds). Female rabbits were generally larger than the males.
Where Did the Smith Island Cottontail Live?
The Smith Island cottontail preferred to live in brushy and grassy areas. These were often found behind sand dunes or at the edges of marshes. They also lived in thick bushes of myrtle and poison ivy. Sometimes, they were found in forests with pine trees or a mix of pine and deciduous trees. The size of their home area depended on how much cover was available and how much food they could find.
What Did the Smith Island Cottontail Eat?
The diet of the Smith Island cottontail changed with the seasons. In the summer, they ate green plants. In the winter, they munched on twigs and bark from small shrubs. They also enjoyed eating fruit from herbaceous plants.
Behavior and Reproduction
These rabbits were mostly active at night, especially around sunrise and sunset. This means they were nocturnal animals.
The nests of the Smith Island cottontail were slanting holes in the ground. They lined these nests with leaves, grass, and their own fur.
The breeding season for these rabbits varied each year and between different groups. On average, a female rabbit would have three to four litters of babies each year. Each litter usually had three to six baby rabbits, called kits.
