By Dawn Wilson

This week’s showcased animal is the mountain cottontail. This fuzzy very little critter—only about 2 lbs . complete grown—is the prevalent rabbit routinely viewed all over neighborhoods and parks in Estes Valley. There are a handful of versions of cottontail rabbits in the U. S.: eastern, Appalachian, desert, mountain and New England. The desert, eastern and mountain are the most prevalent versions found in Colorado. Right here are 5 a lot more information about this sweet very little critter.

1. Mountain cottontails can operate up to 18 mph.

2. Also referred to as the Nuttall’s cottontail, this animal is a member of the Leporidae family members, which consists of far more than 50 rabbits and hares around the globe.

3. Feminine mountain cottontails weigh slightly a lot more than males.

4. This cottontail species has been noticed climbing trees, these kinds of as junipers. It is thought to be for acquiring water on the leaves from overnight condensation or remaining cooler on scorching summertime times.

5. Mountain cottontails only molt when a year and on normal are living about two many years in the wild or up to seven in captivity.

Dawn Wilson is a qualified and award-successful mother nature photographer who life in Estes Park yr-spherical. You can see extra of her operate, sign up for a single of her Rocky excursions, and acquire prints at DawnWilsonPhotography.com or observe her on Instagram: @dawnwilsonphoto.