Cottontail Rabbit

[Elizabeth Andersen]

I got a cottontail rabbit from the Humane Society about a week ago. She is a little over a year old, and she is very sweet. A friend of mine told me they are not supposed to be domesticated (this is my first time owning a rabbit, and I am unfamiliar with specific breeds). She seems to be doing well, and there have't been any issues. Should I be worries though that she should not be domesticated?

 

[Blue eyes]

Can you post a photo? The humane society is not likely to adopt out a wild animal. In fact, it is usually illegal to own a cottontail.
Perhaps it is a domestic rabbit (they are all of European descent and incapable of breeding with our cottontails) but happens to look like a cottontail.

Here is a photo of my rabbit (that is not a cottontail)

 

[Hermelin]

If everything’s goes fine you have nothing to worry about. Are you sure it’s a cotton tail, rabbits can look quite a lot like an cotton tail but still be a domesticated rabbit breed.

Because rabbit comes in different breeds and many mixed breeds exist.

 

[Elizabeth Andersen]

I am of course not 100% sure that she is a cottontail, but that is just what they told us.

 

[Elizabeth Andersen]

Here is another photo if you need any more reference.

 

[JBun]

She's not a cottontail. She has the coloring of one, but cottontails are completely different. Not to mention that it would be illegal for the humane society to have one in their possession without the proper permit, and they certainly couldn't adopt it out. Cottontails here are smaller(1-3 lbs) than your bun who looks to be at least 5 lbs in your photos, and have a more slender body and head structure. She would also likely act a little bit more skittish and on the wild side if she was one.

So rest assured that you have an adorable domestic breed rabbit, and enjoy your fun new experience with her.

 

[Watermelons]

100% not a cottontail. Not even close [emoji6] she is a cute mixed breed though

 

[Blue eyes]

Agreed! She's clearly not a cottontail, as the others have stated. The photos make that clear.

Enjoy your new bunny!! Any questions... you'll be sure to get answers here.

 

[samoth]

Yeah, she's a cute girl, but definitely not a cottontail rabbit

Domesticated rabbits are actually European rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus). The cottontail rabbits we see outside are American rabbits (sylvilagus cuniculus). They look similar, but they're actually pretty different from a biological perspective. American rabbits don't dig tunnels like European rabbits, and the two species can't interbreed. And like others mentioned, American rabbits are wild, and thus afforded different protections/rules than pet rabbits.

 

[Elizabeth Andersen]

As I did more research, it didn't make any sense, but it was still incredibly helpful to have more than one opinion. Thank you all so much!

 

[Orrin]

I agree with all of the above. She' no cottontail.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

Elizabeth your rabbit is gorgeous!!

 

[Liung]

I’m a little concerned about the humane society that told you this. A) because seriously, misinformation to adoptees is really bad, B) they apparently thought they were giving you a wild animal, and C) they either didn’t know or didn’t care that this would be highly illegal?

Most vets won’t even treat injured wildlife, at least in Canada, because you are not permitted to keep domestic wildlife (as opposed to exotic) for longer than 24 hours unless you are a wildlife custodian.

In Canada there is no federal legislation prohibiting the keeping of exotic species—if there’s no specific municipal bylaws against it you can absolutely keep a lion in your backyard. But keeping domestic wildlife is strictly prohibited by federal law.

Humane Societies should know this because they’re one of the main receivers of calls people have when they’re having problems with animals. People try to drop all sorts of bizarre creatures off and they have to know what to do when someone dumps a baby raccoon on them.