Sunday, June 6, 2010

Not exactly Peter Cottontail...

Upon driving home from dinner last evening, we saw a marsh rabbit nibbling on vegetation along the road that backs up into a marshy area off of Jarvis Creek.

The Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris) is often forgotten as wildlife associated with the coastal region of the Lowcountry. These native rabbits are smaller and darker than their northern cousins, the Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) and have small, rounded ears and lack the characteristic white, fluffy tail. Marsh rabbits are strong swimmers, making their nests along thick marshes and brackish water areas. Unfortunately, the rabbits have many predators and are always on alert for danger.

Be sure to keep an eye out for these adorable, but elusive mammals when traveling around the island.

3 comments:

  1. I really like your blog. I would like to send some pictures and comments of Hilton Head animals I see to you as well. There's nothing I like more than animals. Every Friday evening on pizza night we go to see rabbits behind Giuseppi's.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Emma, we are glad that you like the blog and would be happy to post pictures that you have taken.

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, Emma! Thank you for leaving us a comment. We like animals, too. We created an email account so you can send your pictures! visionsofhhi@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete