Sylvilagus floridanus

Sylvilagus holzneri has been split from S. floridanus following Diersing and Wilson (2021). The Mesoamerican species S. hondurensis, and S. yucatanicus have been split following Ruedas et al. (2023). The South American populations generally included under S. floridanus are tentatively retained under this species, although they have yet to be reviewed taxonomically (ASM 2025).

This species is widely distributed, abundant, and expanding outside its historical range. Local populations may be impacted by threats such as habitat loss and degradation, but there are no significant threats at a global level.

This species is widely distributed from southern Canada, throughout the USA (eastern USA east of the Rocky Mountains, portions of southwest and northwest), to southern Mexico (with its southern limit at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec) (Ruedas et al. 2023). They have also been introduced to Italy and other areas outside of their historical range (Nielsen and Berkman 2018). Its range in South America is unclear as populations have yet to be reviewed taxonomically (ASM 20205).

This species is widespread and known from numerous localities.

Subpopulations of this species are at risk due to human perturbation, habitat change, predation, and hunting (sport and local subsistence); in some locations it is threatened by livestock competition and habitat fragmentation (Nielsen and Lanier 2019). Other threats to cottontails include parasites, disease, and vehicle collisions.