Desert cottontail

Desert cottontails are the small brown rabbits you will see all over Tatum Ranch, most often in the cooler hours. They are harmless to people and are simply part of the desert. Their main downside for homeowners is landscaping: they will browse gardens, flowers, and tender new plants.

It is worth understanding their place in the food chain. Cottontails are a primary prey animal for bobcats, coyotes, hawks, and snakes, so a yard that is friendly to rabbits (dense low cover, easy food, standing water) can also draw the predators that hunt them. If you want to reduce both, protect young plants with fencing or mesh, avoid leaving food and water out, and keep low brush trimmed.

Safety and coexistence

• Protect gardens and young plants with fencing or mesh
• Avoid leaving food or standing water that concentrates rabbits (and their predators)
• Keep low brush trimmed to reduce cover near the house