[1] Most Sylvilagus species have stub tails with white undersides that show when they retreat, giving them their characteristic name.

Almost every living carnivorous creature comparable to or larger in size than these lagomorphs is a potential predator, including such diverse creatures as domestic dogs, cats, humans, snakes, coyotes, mountain lions, foxes, and if the cottontail is showing signs of illness, even squirrels.

), which generally sit on their hind legs and hold food with their front paws while feeding, cottontail rabbits eat while on all fours.

[7] Cottontails are rarely found foraging for food on windy days, because the wind interferes with their hearing capabilities.

[8] The subgenera were described in the 19th century based on limited morphological data that have been shown to not be of great use, nor to depict phylogenetic relationships.

Molecular studies (limited in scope to the mitochondrial 12S gene) have shown that the currently accepted subgeneric structure,[1] while of some heuristic value, is unlikely to withstand additional scrutiny.