Cotton tails or feral?

[golfdiva]

I have a co worker that says there are a bunch of rabbits in her neighborhood that dig burrows where they have/keep there babies. She says they have been there for years and are throughout the neighborhood. I saw a picture of one of the babies, and it sure looked like a cotton tail.

However, the only rabbit that burrows, is the European Rabbit, from which our domesticated rabbits are descended.

So, could this be an established feral colony, or an aberration in cottontail nature?

 

[Azerane]

While cottontails may not dig warrens as such, the females will still dig their own burrows for nesting purposes.

 

[golfdiva]

Thanks Azerane,

I know female cottontails will make a nest by forming grass/weeds into a cup, but do they actually dig into the ground? I never heard of that!

BTW, the rabbit in your avatar is gorgeous! What kind is he/she?

 

[Azerane]

I believe they do, yes.

Thanks, He is a Smoke Pearl, marten colour. The Smoke Pearl breed isn't recognised in the USA, but is recognised in Australia and England.