Title
Notes on nesting and litter size of wild swamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus) in Louisiana
Author(s)
Steven G. Platt; Thomas R. Rainwater
Published
2002
Publisher
Proceedings of the Louisiana Academy of Sciences
Abstract
The swamp rabbit (Sylvilagus aquaticus) is one of the least studies North American lagomorphs, and little data on nest construction and litter size are available for wild populations. We examined six swamp rabbit nests and three litters in southeastern Louisiana from 1984 to 2000. Nests were oblong structures measuring 19.3±1.7 (SD) cm long and 17.0±2.1 cm wide consisting of dried vegetation, lined with fur, and often constructed in shallow excavations. Nests were found in a variety of natural and anthropogenic habitats. Mean litter size four Louisiana is 3.4±1.5 (range=2 to 6).
Keywords
Sylvilagus aquaticus; swamp rabbit; reproduction; nests; litter size
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PUB36135