(Syllvilagus, syn. Lepus, floridanus) Cottontail rabbit , the common American wood rabbit is active from dusk to dawn, feeding on green plants in summer and bark and twigs in winter. They nest in shallow fur-lined depressions among shrubs or berry thickets. Young are born as many as four times per year with up to seven in a litter. Young rabbits can reproduce at six months old. This ability to reproduce in such great numbers made rabbit an important food source along the canal for humans, birds and animals. The fur is also used as pelts to make clothing and to make felt for hats.
