Body Weight as an Indicator of Vulnerability to Domestic Cat Predation for Juveniles of Three Species of Cottontail Rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.) in Colorado, USA: Implications for Release Criteria.

Cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.) are frequently admitted to wildlife rehabilitation facilities due to predation by domestic cats (Felis catus). Our retrospective study (2015-19) of three species (Sylvilagus audubonii, Sylvilagus floridanus, and Sylvilagus nuttallii) indicated that once juveniles reached a weight over 220 g, they were unlikely to present due to domestic cat interactions. This information should be incorporated into release criteria for these species.

Clostridial Enterotoxemia and Coccidiosis in Weanling Cottontail Rabbits ( Sylvilagus audubonii, Sylvilagus floridanus, Sylvilagus nuttallii) from Colorado, USA.

Wild cottontail rabbits ( Sylvilagus spp.), especially young individuals, are one of the most frequent wildlife species presented for rehabilitation at wildlife rehabilitation centers. These species are challenging to rehabilitate, with gastrointestinal (GI) disease being a major cause of morbidity and mortality during the weaning stage. Two organisms, Clostridium spiroforme and Eimeria spp., are frequently associated with GI disease in young domestic rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus) and can result in high rates of morbidity and mortality in this species. Here we present evidence that these two pathogens also play an important role in GI disease in young cottontail rabbits ( Sylvilagus audubonii, Sylvilagus floridanus, Sylvilagus nuttallii) undergoing rehabilitation.