However, when the bunnies grow into rabbits and damage vegetables, fruits, flowers, and trees, these nurturing feelings often give way to feelings of contempt. This is the true bunny rabbit whose name is derived from it's white, cottony tail. Snowshoe hares are larger than cottontail rabbits. They have large, furry feet and their coat changes from brown in summer to white in winter. Snowshoe hares are common in northern Wisconsin and can be quite destructive in Christmas tree plantations.
Rabbits typically live for less than one year.
However, because of their prolific breeding habits, cottontail rabbits are very abundant. Cottontails can raise up to six litters a year beginning in late March with an average litter size of six. Once a female rabbit has given birth, she is capable of breeding again very quickly. Under ideal conditions, a pair of rabbits can produce up to 36 offspring in one season. Fortunately, natural mortality factors such as weather, predators, and disease keep rabbits from realizing their full reproductive potential.