Young cottontail rabbit sitting upright in green grass in a Lavaca, Arkansas yard

Growing Cottontail Under the Deck

by

I always get excited when wild animals visit my backyard here in Lavaca, Arkansas. This spring, I found a young cottontail rabbit living under my deck. Since then, I have watched it grow up close, and that close watch has been a special treat.

From Tiny Bunny to Young Cottontail Rabbit

When I first noticed this rabbit, it was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. At that time, its soft fur had just begun to grow in. Over the following weeks, I kept tabs on it and took photos on a regular basis. Gradually, that tiny bunny grew into an active juvenile, and by June 3 it looked nearly full grown.

Its fur filled out into a thick, soft coat as it grew. Also, I could see no injuries on it, and I could see no ticks on it either. It seemed comfortable under the deck, and it stayed there on its own. Then it came out often to nibble on grass and explore the yard. Still, the deck stayed its home base the whole time I watched it.

Young cottontail rabbit sitting upright in green grass in a Lavaca, Arkansas yard
A healthy young cottontail in my Lavaca yard on June 3, 2021.

Gear and Settings for the June 3 Photo

Cottontails often stay hidden, so I do not get this kind of look very often. Because this one lived under my deck, I could follow its growth over time at home. For example, I could see its size change and its coat fill out as the weeks went on. This rabbit gave me a reason to keep checking the deck through the spring.

I made this photo on June 3, 2021, at 5:29 p.m. here in Lavaca. I used a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 800 mm f/11 IS STM lens.

  • Camera: Canon EOS R5
  • Lens: Canon RF 800 mm f/11 IS STM
  • Location: Lavaca, Arkansas
  • Date and time: June 3, 2021, 5:29 p.m.
  • Aperture: f/11
  • Shutter speed: 1/250
  • ISO: 2500 (Auto)
  • Exposure compensation: 0
  • Focal length: 800 mm

Watching This Lone Rabbit Reach Adult Size

I feel lucky to host this lone rabbit in my yard. Next, I will keep posting updates as it reaches adult size. A chance to watch a wild rabbit grow this close to home does not come along every spring. For another yard cottontail story, see Cottontail Rabbit Tick Infestation in My Yard. If you have questions about this rabbit, let me know in the comments.