Mountain Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) is in the Hares and Rabbits family (Leporidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,950 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Mountain Cottontail: observations by month (U.S.)
About Mountain Cottontail
The mountain cottontail or Nuttall's cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) is a species of mammal in the family Leporidae. It is found in Canada and the United States.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Mountain Cottontail by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 858 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Oregon | 701 | June | Apr–Oct |
| Utah | 649 | June | Mar–Oct |
| Montana | 535 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Idaho | 387 | May | Mar–Oct |
| California | 246 | July | May–Aug |
| Wyoming | 195 | June | Jan–Nov |
| Nevada | 152 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Washington | 107 | April | Feb–Jun |
| New Mexico | 46 | June | May–Aug |
| South Dakota | 32 | May | May–Sep |
| Arizona | 26 | June | Apr–Aug |
| North Dakota | 12 | August | Jun–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Hares and Rabbits)
Eastern Cottontail
Desert Cottontail
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Marsh Rabbit
Brush Rabbit
Snowshoe Hare
Swamp Rabbit
White-tailed Jackrabbit
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Mountain Cottontail?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from March to October.
Where is Mountain Cottontail most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Oregon, Utah.