Cottontail Rabbit (Noun)
Meaning
Common small rabbit of North America having greyish or brownish fur and a tail with a white underside; a host for Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis (Lyme disease ticks).
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The eastern cottontail rabbit is one of the most recognizable rabbits in North America, with its distinctive white underside on its tail.
- Hikers should be aware of the risk of Lyme disease when walking in areas inhabited by the cottontail rabbit, which often hosts ticks.
- A study of cottontail rabbits in a New England forest found a significant increase in tick populations during peak breeding seasons.
- Children are often fascinated by the sight of a cottontail rabbit darting through the underbrush, its long ears and quick movements a delight to behold.
- Habitat loss has become a significant threat to cottontail rabbit populations in the northeastern United States, as development and fragmentation encroach on natural habitats.