Minnesota is home to several wild lagomorphs, and while they may seem simple at first glance, there’s real variety in the Types of Wild Rabbits in Minnesota. Whether you’re wandering through brushy fields, paddling near forest bogs, or cruising across open prairie, there’s a good chance you could spot one of these wild rabbits. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the three most common species: how to tell them apart, where they live, what they eat, and more. By the end, you’ll feel a lot more at ease identifying Wild Rabbits in Minnesota on your next nature hike.
1. Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
The Eastern Cottontail is the most familiar rabbit in Minnesota. It’s small, with a body length of about 12–16 inches and a weight of around 2 to 3 pounds. Its fur is a soft mix of gray-brown, and you’ll often see a rusty patch on the back of its neck. The underside—belly, chin, tail, and inner legs—is white, and the tail’s underside really stands out, like a little cotton puff.
Its ears are medium in length—not short like some forest rabbits, but not huge like a hare. The cottontail’s head shape slopes gently from nose to forehead. Its eyes are large and positioned so that it has near‑360° vision, helping it spot predators. When startled, it often freezes first before darting away.
Behavior
Eastern Cottontails are twitchy and alert. They prefer to stay under cover—brush piles, low hedges, or tangled shrubs. When danger is near, their first reaction is to sit still, relying on camouflage rather than running full speed. But if they dash, they zigzag, using short, fast hops to throw off predators.
They are mostly active around dawn and dusk, though they don’t completely hide during the day if they feel safe. Because they don’t dig deep burrows, they lean on dense vegetation or sheltered ground hollows for resting.
Habitat and Range
In Minnesota, you can find Eastern Cottontails almost everywhere—but especially in semi-open spaces where they can hide yet still graze. They favor brushy edges, field borders, shelterbelts, hedgerows, and early successional habitat. Their home range is relatively small—typically less than five acres, because they don’t need to travel far if food and shelter are nearby.
Because they do so well around human-altered landscapes, you might spot them near farms, overgrown fence lines, or even suburban edges.
Diet
Eastern Cottontails eat a wide variety of plants. In the warmer months, they love grasses, clover, garden greens, and herbaceous plants. When summer gives way to fall, they shift to twigs, bark, and woody plant parts. They also practice coprophagy—re-ingesting certain droppings to extract more nutrients.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
These rabbits breed prolifically. A female can have several litters in a year. Each litter typically has **four to six young**.
They make a shallow nest on the ground, lined with grass and her own fur to keep the kits warm. The young are born blind and hairless, so the nest is hidden carefully. After about three weeks, they leave the nest.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
– Eastern Cottontails have eyes set high on their heads, giving them nearly full panoramic vision.
– They can run around **18 miles per hour** in short bursts.
– If caught, they’ll sometimes “kick” backward with their hind legs—strong for such a small creature.
Human Interaction
Because they live near human habitats, Eastern Cottontails are some of the most commonly seen wild rabbits in Minnesota. Hunters also value them: cottontail rabbit hunting is allowed on many public lands. But they also face dangers: cars, pets, and habitat loss all affect their survival.
If you want to watch them, try quietly scanning your yard or a brushy edge at dawn or dusk. Move slowly. Stay low. And don’t try to pick them up—they are wild, and handling them can stress them badly.
2. Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus)
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
The Snowshoe Hare is larger than the Eastern Cottontail, though still quite graceful. In Minnesota, adults typically weigh around 3 pounds and measure about 20 inches long. Their hind feet are very large and covered in fur, helping them walk on soft snow without sinking.
Their coat changes color: brown in summer, white in winter. This seasonal camouflage helps them hide from predators. Their ears are long, but not as large as some other hares, and their tail is short and dark on top, white below.
If you spot tracks, you’ll notice the bounding pattern: big leaps and long strides, rather than tight hops. And if there’s snow, their large, furry feet make very distinctive prints.
Behavior
Snowshoe Hares are built for speed and camouflage. When alarmed, they can sprint up to **30 mph** and leap as far as 12 feet in one bound. They often move in a zigzag pattern to evade predators.
They are mostly active in low-light hours—dawn and dusk—and at night. During the day, they hide in shallow depressions or under cover of shrubs and dense vegetation. They don’t dig burrows.
Habitat and Range
In Minnesota, Snowshoe Hares live primarily in the northern half of the state. Their favorite places are dense woodlands, forest bogs, and areas with thick shrubs. These environments give them both cover and food.
They tend to stay within a relatively small home range—only a few acres—because they don’t wander far from safe shelter.
Diet
Their food changes with the seasons. In spring and summer, they eat a variety of greens—grass, clover, ferns, and garden plants. In colder months, they switch to bark, twigs, buds, and small branches from trees like birch and aspen.
Like many lagomorphs, they re-ingest certain soft droppings so they can absorb more nutrients. This behavior helps them survive when food is less nutritious in winter.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Snowshoe Hares can have **three to four litters per year**, especially if conditions are right. They mate from February through July, and after a gestation of around 36 days, the female gives birth.
Unlike cottontails, the young are “precocial”: they are born fully furred, with their eyes open, ready to move soon after birth. The mother visits them briefly to nurse, reducing the risk of attracting predators.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
– Their seasonal color change is one of the most striking adaptations for predator avoidance.
– Their feet are like built-in snowshoes—they spread out weight and help these hares stay above the snow.
– They may scream loudly if caught by a predator—unexpected for such a soft-looking animal.
Human Interaction
These hares are not usually seen near people, because they prefer remote, forested areas. But they are hunted in Minnesota, especially in northern regions. Their populations also fluctuate in cycles every few years, which affects visibility and hunting success.
For wildlife watchers, the best chance to see a Snowshoe Hare is in early morning or evening in dense woodland. Use binoculars, move quietly, and look for their white winter coat or their lightning-fast leap when startled.
3. White‑tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii)
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
The White‑tailed Jackrabbit is easily the biggest of Minnesota’s wild lagomorphs. Adults weigh between **6 and 10 pounds**, much larger than your typical rabbit. Their length is about two feet, including a stub tail of three to four inches.
Their ears are very long, helping them hear predators from far off. In summer, their fur is gray-brown, but in winter, they molt to nearly all white (though the ears stay a bit darker). Their tail is white underneath, and that tail flash can give them away when they bound away.
If you ever see them running, you’ll notice a particular style: long, powerful leaps that can cover large ground. When surprised, they bound away like a kangaroo—huge leaps and speed. When really frightened, they will drop low to the ground, then accelerate.
Behavior
Jackrabbits are mostly nocturnal. They rest during the day in shallow depressions hidden under grass, brush, or other vegetation. When danger appears, they’ll sprint off in a zigzag pattern, using their long legs to evade “predators on the prowl.”
They do not live in social groups; jackrabbits are quite solitary most of the time. Males may compete with each other during breeding season, sometimes hopping and boxing.
Habitat and Range
White‑tailed Jackrabbits favor open country—prairies, grasslands, hayfields, and farmland edges. In Minnesota, they are more common in the western counties, where wide open spaces still exist. They don’t often seek forested, thick cover; they prefer open horizons where they can use speed to escape.
Because they use shallow forms (basically shallow ground depressions) for resting, they rely on areas with low vegetation or grass to hide during the day.
Diet
Their diet includes a variety of grasses, forbs, and seeds. In winter, they eat twigs, buds, and bark from woody plants. They also eat high-protein plants when possible. Interestingly, jackrabbits sometimes consume their own soft droppings to maximize protein intake.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female jackrabbits can have **two or three litters each summer**. Each litter typically has about **four young**, though larger litters occur.
Their young (leverets) are born in “forms,” which are shallow ground scrapes lined with grass. These leverets are born **fully furred and with eyes open**, ready to move shortly after birth. They begin to forage within a couple of weeks.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
– Their leaps are huge — they can bound more than 10 feet in a single spring when startled.
– Their running speed can reach up to **40 mph** in a chase.
– Despite being called “jackrabbit,” they are hares, not true rabbits. The difference: their young are born ready to hop, not helpless like baby rabbits.
Human Interaction
Humans don’t often see jackrabbits because they are nocturnal and live in less populated areas. Still, they are a game species in Minnesota, especially in the prairie regions. Their populations have declined in some areas because of loss of open grassland habitat.
If you’re hoping to see one, try heading into open fields around dusk. Use binoculars. Watch for sudden bounds. They’re sensitive to disturbance, so moving quietly is key.
Conclusion
These three species—Eastern Cottontail, Snowshoe Hare, and White‑tailed Jackrabbit—make up the core of the Types of Wild Rabbits in Minnesota. Each has its own style: the cottontail’s quick, close-range hops; the hare’s seasonal disguise and speed; the jackrabbit’s long legs and powerful bounds. By learning how to tell them apart, where they live, and how they behave, you’ll be better equipped for wildlife watching, photography, or just enjoying quiet moments in nature.
If you want to help wild rabbits, you can support habitat conservation: preserve brushy edges, allow natural meadows to grow, and report sightings to local wildlife groups. When you spot one next time, pause, observe quietly, and smile — you’re sharing space with a remarkable wild neighbor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wild Rabbits in Minnesota
1. What species of wild rabbits live in Minnesota?
Minnesota is home to three main species: Eastern Cottontail, Snowshoe Hare, and White-tailed Jackrabbit. Each has unique physical traits and behaviors that make them identifiable in their habitats.
2. How can I identify an Eastern Cottontail?
Eastern Cottontails are small, gray-brown rabbits with a white underside and fluffy tail. Look for their medium-length ears, soft fur, and gentle slope from nose to forehead. Their distinctive “cotton” tail is visible when they dart away.
3. Where do Snowshoe Hares live in Minnesota?
Snowshoe Hares are mostly found in the northern forests of Minnesota. They prefer dense woodlands, forest edges, and shrubby bogs, which provide both cover and food sources.
4. How is a White-tailed Jackrabbit different from other rabbits?
The White-tailed Jackrabbit is much larger, with long legs and ears, adapted for open prairies. Its strong hind legs allow it to leap long distances, and it changes fur color seasonally to camouflage in snow.
5. When are wild rabbits most active?
Wild rabbits in Minnesota are mostly crepuscular, active at dawn and dusk. Snowshoe Hares are often nocturnal, while Eastern Cottontails may venture out during the day if they feel safe.
6. What do Eastern Cottontails eat?
They primarily eat grasses, clover, garden vegetables, and tender shoots in summer. In winter, they shift to twigs, bark, and woody plants.
7. How do Snowshoe Hares survive winter?
Snowshoe Hares grow a thick white winter coat and use their large furry feet to move on snow. They eat twigs, buds, and bark, conserving energy in the cold months.
8. Are White-tailed Jackrabbits good swimmers?
No, unlike some rabbits adapted to marshes, White-tailed Jackrabbits stay in open fields and prairies and do not rely on water for escaping predators.
9. How do rabbits avoid predators?
Rabbits rely on camouflage, freezing in place, and rapid zigzag hops. Dense vegetation and hiding in brush piles or shallow depressions help them evade foxes, coyotes, hawks, and owls.
10. Can I keep wild rabbits as pets?
No, wild rabbits are not suitable pets. They have specific habitat needs, may carry diseases, and do not adapt well to captivity. Domestic rabbits are safer and better for homes.
11. How do Eastern Cottontails reproduce?
They breed multiple times per year, producing 3–6 young per litter. Nests are shallow depressions lined with grass and fur, hidden from predators.
12. How many litters do Snowshoe Hares have annually?
Snowshoe Hares can have 3–4 litters per year. Their young are born fully furred with open eyes, ready to move shortly after birth.
13. What is a rabbit’s average lifespan in the wild?
Most wild rabbits live 1–3 years due to predation, disease, and environmental hazards. Some Snowshoe Hares may live slightly longer in safer habitats.
14. How do rabbits communicate?
They use body language, foot thumping, scent marking, soft grunts, and occasional squeaks to signal danger, attract mates, or mark territory.
15. Why do rabbits thump their feet?
Thumping is a warning signal to other rabbits that danger is nearby. It can also alert predators that they’ve been spotted, which may deter pursuit.
16. Can I feed wild rabbits?
It is not recommended. Human food can harm them and feeding may encourage dependence or increase predation risk.
17. What predators eat wild rabbits in Minnesota?
Common predators include foxes, coyotes, hawks, owls, bobcats, and domestic cats and dogs. Rabbits depend on camouflage and rapid escape to survive.
18. Do Snowshoe Hares migrate?
No, Snowshoe Hares do not migrate long distances. They may move short distances seasonally in search of food and cover.
19. How do White-tailed Jackrabbits reproduce?
Jackrabbits have 2–3 litters per year, with 4 young per litter on average. Their leverets are born fully furred with eyes open and can hop shortly after birth.
20. How do rabbits survive food scarcity in winter?
They switch to bark, twigs, buds, and fibrous plants. They may also re-ingest droppings to maximize nutrient absorption.
21. Can rabbits coexist with humans?
Yes, especially Eastern Cottontails, which thrive in suburban yards and farmland edges. Observing them quietly allows coexistence without stress to the animals.
22. What role do rabbits play in Minnesota ecosystems?
They help control vegetation, serve as prey for predators, and contribute to nutrient cycling, supporting biodiversity in their habitats.
23. How can I observe wild rabbits responsibly?
Use binoculars, keep a safe distance, move quietly, and avoid disturbing nests. Dawn and dusk are the best times to spot them.
24. Are rabbits good for gardens?
They can both help and harm. Rabbits eat weeds and plants, but they may also nibble vegetables. Fencing or raised beds can protect gardens.
25. Do wild rabbits carry diseases?
They can carry ticks, fleas, and tularemia. Avoid handling wild rabbits directly to reduce risk of disease transmission.
26. How do Snowshoe Hares differ from cottontails?
Hares like Snowshoe Hares are larger, born with fur and open eyes, and have longer legs adapted for running. Cottontails are smaller, born blind and hairless, and rely on shallow nests.
27. Can rabbits climb trees?
No, wild rabbits are ground dwellers. They rely on speed, camouflage, and dense vegetation for protection.
28. Why do Jackrabbits have long ears?
The long ears help detect predators from a distance and regulate body temperature by releasing excess heat in summer.
29. How do rabbits mark territory?
They use scent glands under their chin and urine marking to delineate territory and communicate with other rabbits.
30. How can I tell a Snowshoe Hare in winter?
Look for their white fur, large furry feet, and bounding tracks in the snow. Their seasonal camouflage is a key survival adaptation.
31. Are wild rabbits endangered in Minnesota?
All three main species are stable. However, habitat loss and predation can affect local populations, especially for White-tailed Jackrabbits in prairie regions.
32. Do rabbits hibernate?
No, they remain active year-round, adapting their diet and sheltering under brush or in shallow forms during harsh winters.
33. How far do wild rabbits travel daily?
Eastern Cottontails usually stay within 1–5 acres, Snowshoe Hares move a few acres in search of food, and Jackrabbits may roam longer distances across open fields.
34. What is the difference between a hare and a rabbit?
Hares (like Snowshoe and Jackrabbits) are larger, born ready to hop with fur and open eyes, and rely on speed. Rabbits (cottontails) are smaller, born helpless, and rely more on hiding.
35. How do humans impact wild rabbits?
Urban development, farming, and traffic can threaten rabbits, but responsible gardening, habitat preservation, and quiet observation support coexistence with wild rabbits.
Read more: 5 Types of Wild Rabbits in Mississippi (Pictures And Identification)