The eastern cottontail rabbit is a midsize rabbit that generally resides throughout eastern North America, from Canada to Mexico. They may look similar, but hares are typically bigger than rabbits and have very different living and breeding habits. Their different living habits make rabbits and hares respond to danger differently. Hares have large, long ears, long legs, and a larger body than rabbits. Asked in Care of Rabbits , Rabbits and Hares How long can a cottontail rabbit get ? Only the cottontail rabbit is known to make above-ground nests similar to those of hares. The beauty of the cottontail rabbit lies in its near ubiquity. There is an exception to the burrowing-bunny rule—the cottontail, a type of American rabbit that does not burrow. They will come out to eat between dusk to dawn. Rabbits make their homes in burrows underground, while hares make nests above ground. Hares are generally larger than rabbits, with longer ears, and have black markings on their fur. The domestic pet known as the Belgian Hare is a rabbit that has been selectively bred to resemble a hare. Only the cottontail rabbit is known to make above-ground nests similar to those of hares. Rabbits stay in their underground burrows during the day. The cottontail bunny eats plants, is most active at dusk and dawn, and provides a major link in food webs. Rabbits prefer to head underground to hide. Noun ()Any of several plant-eating animals of the family Leporidae, especially of the genus Lepus , similar to a rabbit, but larger and with longer ears. Cottontail rabbits are leoprids of the species Lepus sylvaticus. Their name comes from their fluffy white tail which resembles a ball of cotton. Their different living habits make rabbits and hares respond to danger differently. The Amami rabbit, the Tres Maria's cottontail, and the Omilteme cottontail, and the volcano rabbit. The whitetail jackrabbit is the largest hare in the Great Plains, having a head and body length of 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm) and weighing 5 to 10 pounds (2.2 to 4.5 kg). Shares. ; The player in a paperchase, or hare and hounds game, who leaves a trail of paper to be followed. The cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) is slightly smaller in overall size and has smaller hind legs and feet then the varying hare, also known as the snowshoe rabbit (Lepus americanus). Cottontail rabbits cannot be tamed. There are several … View Images. Hares make their nests usually in grass or brush above ground, and a rabbit lives underground, except the cottontail, which also lives above ground. Rabbits prefer to head underground to hide. Jackrabbits are hares. What's the Difference Between Rabbits and Hares? Despite the differences in anatomy and behavior of these two species, they do look remarkably alike. By Laura Geggel 25 March 2016. The cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) is slightly smaller in overall size and has smaller hind legs and feet then the varying hare, also known as the snowshoe rabbit (Lepus americanus). Hares have not been domesticated, while rabbits are raised for food and kept as house pets. Rabbits make their homes in burrows underground, while hares make nests above ground. The vast majority of hunters in America are within an easy drive of prime cottontail country. Rabbits prefer the darkness to help keep them safe from harm. ; The player in a paperchase, or hare and hounds game, who leaves a trail of paper to be followed. Noun ()Any of several plant-eating animals of the family Leporidae, especially of the genus Lepus , similar to a rabbit, but larger and with longer ears. Hares stay above ground and use their powerful hind legs to escape from danger, if necessary.