What is a "cottontail"?

The "cottontail" is a small mammal belonging to the family Leporidae, known for its short tail resembling a puff of cotton, which gives it its name. Cottontails are typically small to medium-sized rabbits with soft fur, long ears, and a distinctive hopping gait. They are herbivorous animals that primarily feed on plant material, including grasses, shrubs, and small plants. Cottontails are known for their excellent agility and speed, being able to quickly evade predators by running, jumping, and making sharp turns. They are typically solitary animals and are known for their ability to reproduce rapidly, with females capable of producing multiple litters of young each year. Cottontails are found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and grasslands, and they are known for their adaptability to different environments.