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Rabbits and Their Control in New Mexico Guide L-210 Reviewed by Sam Smallidge1

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Rabbits and Their Control in New Mexico Guide L-210 Reviewed by Sam Smallidge1 Rabbits and Their Control in New Mexico Guide L-210 Reviewed by Sam Smallidge1 Identification New Mexico is home to two major species of jackrabbits and three cottontail species. The black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californi- cus) occurs throughout the state, except in the northeast quarter where the white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) is found. The desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) oc- curs throughout the state, while the moun- tain cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) occurs primarily in northern New Mexico. Eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) inhabit most of the state, with the exception of the northwestern quarter. The white-tailed jackrabbit is the larg- est, with a head and body length of 18 to 20 inches and a weight of 5 to 10 pounds. It is brownish gray in summer and white or pale gray in winter. The tail also is white. The Figure 1. Black-tailed jackrabbit. (© Martha Marks | black-tailed jackrabbit is somewhat smaller, Dreamstime.com) weighing only 3 to 7 pounds. It has a grayish brown body, large black-tipped ears, and a black streak on the top of its tail (Figure 1). Habitat The eastern cottontail is 14 to 17 inches in Both the white-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbits length and weighs between 2 and 4 pounds. The prefer semi-open, grassy or sagebrush plains and brownish or grayish ears are 2.5 to 3 inches long. sparsely vegetated deserts. The tail is cottony white (Figure 2). The desert The eastern cottontail prefers heavy brush, for- cottontail is smaller (12 to 15 inches in length) est strips near open areas, and weed patches. The and has longer ears (3 to 4 inches long). The body mountain cottontail is often associated with thick- is pale gray washed with yellow. The mountain ets, sagebrush, and cliffs, while the desert cottontail cottontail is similar to the eastern cottontail, but prefers open plains, foothills, and low valleys of the somewhat paler. The mountain cottontail also has arid Southwest. shorter ears (about 2.5 inches long) compared to the desert cottontail. 1Range Improvement Task Force Coordinator and Assistant Professor/Extension Wildlife Specialist, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University. To find more resources for your business, home, or family, visit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences on the World Wide Web at aces.nmsu.edu Food Habits Food sources for jackrabbits and cot- tontails in New Mexico vary according to the alternating dry and rainy seasons. Following rainy periods, forbs and perennial grasses grow new leaves and become more abundant in their diet. At the same time, the amount of mesquite, cactus, and woody vegetation in their diet decreases to almost nothing. Dur- ing arid periods, grass dries up and is eaten less often, and the percentage of mesquite and woody vegetation in their diet increases. Rainfall’s effect is not as obvious in northern New Mexico, but it contin- ues to increase rabbit preference for forbs and grasses. Rabbits feed mostly on grasses and other green vegetation in summer. They add buds, bark, and small twigs in winter. Figure 2. Desert cottontail. (© Paul Sparks | Rabbits in all areas prefer green Dreamstime.com) vegetation when available. Agricul- tural crops are especially attractive when natural evening movement can be observed. Daily move- vegetation is low in moisture content. When green ments of 1 or 2 miles each way are fairly common vegetation is not available, rabbits can damage or- for jackrabbits. In dry seasons, 10-mile round trips namental and fruit trees by browsing or girdling. from desert to alfalfa fields have been reported. Cottontails, however, spend their lives in smaller areas generally of 10 acres or less. General Biology Jackrabbits and cottontails are born with lots of fur and the ability to move about. Jackrabbits pre- Damage pare little or no nest, although the young are kept Significant damage occurs when concentrations of hidden for three to four days after birth. Female rabbits are attracted to orchards, gardens, ornamen- cottontails build a nest approximately the size of a tals, or agricultural areas. High rabbit populations softball and line it with fur from their bellies. Fe- also can damage range vegetation. male jackrabbits and cottontails can produce up to Most damage to gardens, landscapes, or agri- four litters per year of two to eight young per litter. cultural areas occurs in areas adjacent to rangeland Reproductive rates may vary from year to year de- normally used by rabbits. Damage may be tempo- pending on environmental conditions. rary and usually occurs when natural vegetation is Where food and shelter are both available in one dry. Green vegetation can be damaged severely dur- place, jackrabbits only move around locally. When ing these dry periods. food and shelter are separated, a morning and Guide L-210 • Page 2 Rangeland overbrowsing and overgrazing can oc- to the ground or buried several inches deep to pre- cur any time rabbit numbers are high. Jackrabbits vent rabbits from burrowing under the fence. consume 1/2 to 1 pound of green vegetation each Reusable fence panels also may be constructed day. It has been estimated that eight jackrabbits easily to protect gardens. These 18- to 36-inch-high eat as much as one sheep, and 41 jackrabbits eat panels (depending on species) exclude foraging as much as one cow. In some areas heavily infested rabbits, while allowing gardeners easy access. Panel with jackrabbits, numbers have been estimated as frames can be constructed with 2 × 2-inch lumber. high as 400 per square mile, extending over several A 1-inch mesh galvanized wire, such as poultry net- hundred square miles. Range damage can be severe ting (18 to 36 inches high), is fastened to one side in such situations, especially in areas where vegeta- of the frame. Panels can be made in various lengths tion productivity is low. to match the size of the garden. Lightweight posts, such as electric fence posts, are sufficient for sup- port. One post should be placed in each corner and Legal Status at each junction of panels. Panels can be fastened to Jackrabbits and cottontails are considered nongame the posts using malleable wire. animals in New Mexico and are not protected by Using individual protectors to guard the trunks state game laws. of young trees or vines is another form of exclusion. The white-sided jackrabbit (Lepus callotis) occurs The best are cylinders made from woven wire net- in the southwestern corner of New Mexico and is ting. Poultry netting of one-half inch mesh in 20 listed by the state of New Mexico as a threatened gauge strips, 12 to 18 inches wide, can be formed species. While looking similar to the black-tailed into cylinders around trees. For adequate protec- jackrabbit, the white-sided jackrabbit is stockier tion, these cylinders should be braced away from and conspicuously white along the sides of its body. the trunk to prevent rabbits from pressing them If you are experiencing problems from this species against the trees and gnawing through them. please contact New Mexico Department of Game Commercially available tree protectors include and Fish for assistance. aluminum, nylon mesh wrapping, and polypropyl- ene plastic. Aluminum foil and even ordinary plas- Damage Prevention tic wraps have worked effectively around the trunks and Control Methods of small trees. Exclusion Trapping Exclusion is accomplished most often by fences Along with exclusion, using wooden cage traps is and gates installed around the area to be protected. probably the most practical means of controlling Exclusion by fencing is desirable for small areas problem cottontails. However, using wooden-cage of high-value crops like vegetable gardens, but is traps is not effective for jackrabbits because they are usually impractical and too expensive for larger reluctant to enter a trap or dark enclosure. In addi- acreages. However, when considering cost, remem- tion, live trapping is less effective during the sum- ber that damage to high-value crops can mean big mer months because abundant vegetation makes it losses. Also, the cost of fencing can be spread over more difficult to attract them. Therefore, exclusion several years. is more feasible during the summer. For fence construction, use woven wire or poul- A live trap can be constructed of wood using try netting of a mesh not greater than 1 inch. To a few simple tools (Figure 3). Place traps in areas exclude jackrabbits, the height should be 30 to 36 with a lot of rabbit activity, evidenced by tracks and inches, while 18 to 24 inches is sufficient for cot- gnawing on woody plants. Use live traps that mea- tontails. The wire’s bottom edge should be staked sure 6 × 6 × 24 inches. Also, covering commercially Guide L-210 • Page 3 18 1/2 in. 3/4 in 7 1/4 in. 8 3/4 in. holes 6 3/4 in. 17 in. 4 1/2 in. 7/8 in. between guides 5 3/4 in. Bottom Side Side Top Back Door 26 in. 26 in 26 in 24 1/2 in 9 in. 8 1/2 in. String Door lever Door Pivot string Trigger 11 in. Back 1 1/2 in. Side 4 1/2 in. Bottom Figure 3. Dimension for constructing a rabbit live trap (Henderson and Lee, 1992). Guide L-210 • Page 4 available wire-mesh live traps with tarpaper (avail- growing season must be reapplied as new growth able where roofing supplies are purchased) and emerges. Repellents can be brushed, sprayed, or securing with annealed steel wire may be an effec- dipped onto the plants and should be applied 18 to tive alternative for trapping cottontails.
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