Rare new england cottontail

High Resolution JPEG Picture of Rare New England cottontail rabbit briefly emerging from a pondside thicket in rural Washington, Connecticut. The only cottontail native to New England. The eastern cottontail, introduced by hunters beginning in the 1800s, is the commonly seen rabbit in this region, thriving in more open areas. The New England cottontail is slightly smaller, with smaller eyes and ears, and a black line along the anterior edge of the ears. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently decided against listing the New England cottontail as endangered, because local conservation efforts are helping the species maintain a foothold.