Swamp Rabbit or Cottontail? A Curious Visitor in My Garden

I’ve photographed many Cottontail Rabbits in my Arkansas yard over the years. Today, I’m sharing photos of a rabbit I believe might be a Swamp Rabbit.

A young rabbit recently started visiting my garden. Swamp Rabbits prefer wetland habitats, so my yard isn’t ideal for them. This makes me question if it’s truly a Swamp Rabbit.

Rabbit Cleaning Its Paws
A young rabbit takes a moment to groom, nestled in my Arkansas garden. Could this be a Swamp Rabbit, or is it just a Cottontail?

Despite the proximity of people, this rabbit appears unbothered. My friend Mia and I were photographing birds from my deck when this rabbit munched on one of my flowers just a few steps away. You can see Mia’s photos of the rabbit here: Young Swamp Rabbit Delight

Flower Nibbler
The rabbit stops for a quick bite of flowers right by my deck. Its calm nature around people made for a perfect close-up. Swamp Rabbit or Cottontail? You decide.
Snack Time in the Garden
This rabbit munches on fresh greenery, unfazed by the surroundings. Its preference for my garden over wetlands raises the question: Swamp Rabbit or Cottontail?

Later that morning, it sought refuge in a tall grass spot in my garden, a common area for other rabbits. These rabbits create tunnels into the grass and spend the day there, only emerging in the evening to feed. I’ve observed several young cottontails using this spot.

Rabbit Hiding in the Tall Grass
This rabbit finds shelter in tall grass, blending in perfectly. It’s a common spot for young rabbits in my yard to rest during the day.

Mia took a photo of the rabbit, and after searching online, most of the results confirmed that it was indeed a Swamp Rabbit.

So, what do you think? Is it a young Swamp Rabbit or a regular Cottontail Rabbit?

Here are a bunch of photos I have taken of Swamp Rabbits: Swamp Rabbit

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