They can really be found anywhere in the world, depending on human distributions. Cottontail rabbits usually occur where human interaction can be found. Rabbits prefer dry, warm areas. They will usually pick open fields, meadows, bushes, and small forests. Their territory size is several acres.
Cottontails are subject as prey by many other animals.
Their enemies are usually canines and felids, or large birds of prey. In order to avoid their enemies, cottontails will either flee or they will sit low among plants. Their heart activity decreases in order to make them as motionless as possible. They will also use shrill cries of alarm and thumping sounds with their hind feet as aggression signals. Most rabbits are subject to infection of myxomatosis, but cottontails are naturally resistant to the disease.