Mammals Most active at dawn and dusk

Marsh Rabbit

Sylvilagus palustris

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The Marsh Rabbit is the Southeast's most elusive swimmer, a compact and hardy cottontail cousin that thrives in the densest swamps and coastal thickets.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Total length of 14-19 inches (35-48 cm); weight range of 2.2-3.5 lbs (1.0-1.6 kg)

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Colors

Dull brownish-gray upperparts with a reddish-brown nape; underside is a dingy grayish-buff rather than pure white; tail is dark brown to gray on top and bottom

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Key Features

Significantly smaller ears and legs than the Eastern Cottontail
Dingy grayish-brown belly (not white)
Small, dark tail that lacks the white 'cotton' underside
Unique 'walking' gait where limbs move alternately rather than hopping

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

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Peak hours 6-9 PM, 4-7 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Strictly herbivorous; feeds on a variety of wetland plants including cattails, water hyacinth, marsh grasses, wild potato, and rushes.

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Habitat Coastal marshes, freshwater swamps, mangroves, wet thickets, and brackish estuarine borders.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Marsh Rabbit Live?

The Marsh Rabbit is an iconic resident of the coastal Southeast in North America. Its native range hugs the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, stretching from the wetlands of southeastern Virginia through the entire Florida peninsula—including the fragile ecosystems of the Lower Keys—and extending west into the marshy reaches of Alabama. This species is a true lowland specialist, rarely found far from the tidal marshes and freshwater swamps that define the region's humid landscape.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

350K km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Unlike most of its cousins, the Marsh Rabbit is a semiaquatic specialist. It is an excellent swimmer and frequently takes to the water to escape predators or move between foraging grounds. When threatened, it often retreats into thick aquatic vegetation or submersed itself in water with only its nose and eyes exposed, a behavior similar to an alligator or hippopotamus.

Marsh Rabbits are predominantly nocturnal and crepuscular, though they can occasionally be seen during overcast days. They are generally solitary and highly territorial, maintaining strict home ranges within the dense cover of their wetland habitats. While they are capable of running fast in a zigzag pattern, they are more likely to 'walk' or crawl through thick brush than to hop like a typical field rabbit.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Marsh Rabbit on camera, focus on 'edge' habitats where thick wetland vegetation meets a muddy bank or a narrow trail. Because these rabbits are low-slung and smaller than cottontails, mount your camera very low—roughly 6 to 10 inches off the ground. Angling the camera slightly upward can help capture identifying features like the chin and ear length, which are vital for distinguishing them from other species.

Since these rabbits are most active during the 'blue hour' of twilight and throughout the night, a camera with a high-quality Infrared (IR) flash is essential. Standard white flashes may startle them, but 'No-Glow' IR prevents spooking. Look for 'runs' or matted-down grass paths in the marsh; these are their highways. Placing a camera near a known exit point from a swamp into a foraging patch will yield the best results.

Marsh Rabbits have a unique gait; they often walk by moving their legs alternately rather than hopping. To capture this behavior, use a 'Video' setting or a high-speed 'Burst' mode (3-5 photos per trigger). This movement is a key diagnostic feature for AI identification. If you are in a backyard setting near a canal or marsh, avoid using traditional rabbit baits like carrots; instead, ensure there is a patch of native marsh grass or clover, which will naturally draw them into the frame.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Marsh Rabbit.

Eastern Cottontail

Larger ears, longer legs, and a prominent fluffy white underside to the tail.

Swamp Rabbit

Much larger body size and a tail that is white on the underside, typically found further inland in the Mississippi Valley.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Marsh Rabbits are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the hours of dawn and dusk, as well as throughout the night to avoid predators.

If you live near a wetland, you can attract Marsh Rabbits by maintaining a 'wild' edge in your garden with native grasses and thick brush. Avoid using pesticides and provide a small, safe passage through fencing to allow them access from the marsh.

Marsh Rabbits eat a variety of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, including marsh grasses, cattails, water hyacinth, and occasional woody stems or bark during the winter months.

They are common in suburban areas only if those areas are immediately adjacent to wetlands, canals, or marshes. They rarely venture far from the safety of wet, dense cover.

The easiest way is to look at the tail; Marsh Rabbits have small, dingy brown tails, while Eastern Cottontails have large, fluffy white 'cotton' tails. Marsh Rabbits also have much shorter ears and a grayish belly.

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