Differential Habitat Usage by the Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) as Estimated by Fecal Counts

• Eric M. Butler

  Juniata College

  Author

• Gaia R. Erich

  Juniata College

  Author

• Mark P. Barnsley

  Juniata College

  Author

• Karl W. Justice

  Juniata College

  Author

We conducted a study to determine if Eastern cottontails differentially utilized scrub and field microhabitats within a mixed woodland/field habitat. Previous studies conducted by others led us to hypothesize that the rabbits should spend more time in the scrub, thereby depositing more feces in that area. Relative usage of the microhabitats by the rabbits was determined by counting fecal piles within predetermined areas. There was no statistically significant evidence to support the hypothesis. This leads to the conclusion that rabbits utilize both of the microhabitats with approximately the same frequency.

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