The New England Cottontail The New England cottontail is a rabbit found mainly in the eastern states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. It is the only rabbit species that is native to the region.
This rabbit prefers to live in young forests with shrubs, thickets, and short, growing trees. The cottontail needs abundant cover as it moves around in search of food and raises its young. The rabbit, which usually goes only about 16 feet from cover even when looking for food, needs these young forests to survive. Predators find it difficult to catch the rabbit if it is hidden under thickets and shrubs.
Since the 1960s, the rabbit's habitat has been shrinking. As forests grow older, the shrubs disappear and tall trees replace them. If the rabbit loses its cover, it will be easier for other animals to spot it. Other species such as whitetail deer and wood turtle also depend on the same habitat to survive. Some programs are helping restore this lost habitat. A government program called Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) provides assistance to private landowners to help regrow these forests on their property.
The cottontail plays an important role in keeping the region's environment stable.

What can the reader infer about the cottontail’s importance in the region?

The rabbit's survival can ensure the survival of other animal species.

The rabbit's burrow can affect the growth of shrubs in the forests.

The rabbit's presence allows young forests to mature into older forests.

The rabbit's habitat creates jobs for private landowners.