![](media/image1.jpeg){width="3.604330708661417in"
height="2.8161417322834645in"}

The Pygmy Rabbit

***Brachylagus idahoensis***

> This worksheet provides the necessary tools for accurate
> identification of pygmy rabbits as well as their habitat and sign.
> Please contact one of the UDWR biologists listed at the end of this
> document to report sightings.
>
> Smallest of all North American rabbits -- half the mass of a mountain
> cottontail. Adult females, on average, are larger than adult males.
> Most easily confused with juvenile cottontails, but distinguished from
> all rabbit species in Utah by the uniform brown coloration of its tail
> (see comparison photos below). Neutral coloration and small size of
> tail may give the impression in the field that the species is
> tailless. Look also for the pale buff marking on entire trailing edge
> of ear.
>
> ![](media/image2.wmf){width="5.995275590551181in"
> height="1.7216535433070865in"}![](media/image3.jpeg){width="1.8751968503937009in"
> height="1.9251968503937007in"}![](media/image4.png){width="1.7826771653543307in"
> height="1.9244094488188976in"}![](media/image5.jpeg){width="1.895275590551181in"
> height="1.9251968503937007in"}
>
> ![](media/image6.wmf){width="3.54251968503937in"
> height="2.425196850393701in"}
>
> *[Sign -- Pellets:]{.underline}*
>
> Pellets are round and 2-5 mm in diameter (similar to what a Tic-Tac
> looks like end-on). Several rabbit species can produce similar pellet
> sizes, but almost always in association with larger, more typical
> pellets. Often pellet densities are high (even when rabbit densities
> are not) due to the rabbit's habitual behavior.
>
> High densities of small pellets are diagnostic.
>
> ![](media/image7.jpeg){width="2.6354330708661418in"
> height="2.5208661417322835in"}
>
> *[Habitat:]{.underline}* Several aspects of pygmy rabbit ecology
> create an extremely close association between the rabbits and dense,
> tall stands of sagebrush. Pygmy rabbits are the only rabbits in North
> America to dig their own burrows. Landscape selection by rabbits is
> linked very closely with the availability of deep, loose soils in
> which to construct burrows (2-7 openings). Suitable pygmy rabbit
> habitat can often be found by searching for areas with deeper soils,
> as recognized by distinctly taller patches of sagebrush. Topography
> plays a very important role in soil deposition and therefore rabbit
> distribution, so pay special attention to old riverbeds, alluvial
> fans, and the base of hills where soils have slumped.
>
> ![](media/image8.jpeg){width="4.399212598425197in"
> height="2.7811023622047246in"}[*Sign -- Burrows*:]{.underline} Pygmy
> rabbits spend the majority of their lives within 30 meters of their
> burrows, leading to the high concentration of pellets often observed.
> Although the entrance of a burrow dug by pygmy rabbits averages 3-5"
> in diameter (slightly smaller than your fist), it is very common for
> pygmy rabbits to be using the much larger burrows of other animals.
> The presence of pellets at or near the burrow entrance will be your
> best indicator of the burrow's occupancy by pygmy rabbits. Diet
> (winter: 81-99% sagebrush; summer: 51% sagebrush, 39% grasses, 10%
> forbs) indicates another important link pygmy rabbits have to healthy
> sagebrush ecosystems.
>
> **Adam Kozlowski** (801) 476-2740 Counties: Box Elder, Cache, Rich,
> Weber, Davis, Morgan, Summit
>
> **Jackee Alston** (801) 491-5663 Counties: Tooele, Salt Lake, Wasatch,
> Utah, Juab, Sanpete
>
> **Keith Day** (435) 865-6120 Counties: Millard, Sevier, Beaver, Piute,
> Wayne, Iron, Garfield, Washington, Kane
>
> **Brian Maxfield** (435) 454-3338 Counties: Daggett, Duchesne, Uintah,
> Grand