Take 5: Down the Rabbit Hole

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Ryan D.

Did you know that there are two species of cottontail rabbits in Massachusetts? The New England cottontail, and the Eastern cottontail. While there are very slight differences in appearance between the two species, it can be nearly impossible to tell them apart by just looking at them. The Eastern cottontail was introduced into the state before 1900 to bolster the rabbit population and is now the most common rabbit in Massachusetts.

Wild cottontails have a life expectancy of less than two years. Nearly half the young die within a month of birth, largely because cottontails are a popular menu item for foxes, weasels, raccoons, minks, snakes, crows, and several common species of hawks and owls.

These furry little cuties can be quite the menace to flower and vegetable gardens. For tips on what to do if your shrubs and veggies are being ravaged by bunnies, check out our Cottontail Situations & Solutions page, and enjoy these photo contest entries of cottontails (at least the pictures won’t nibble your carrots!).

© Susumu Kishihara, Photo Contest Entry 2013

© Susumu Kishihara, Photo Contest Entry 2013

© Frank Vitale, Photo Contest Entry 2012

© Frank Vitale, Photo Contest Entry 2012

© Julia Swerdlov, Photo Contest Entry 2014

© Julia Swerdlov, Photo Contest Entry 2014

© Priya Ramachanriya Surendranath, Photo Contest Entry 2014

© Priya Ramachanriya Surendranath, Photo Contest Entry 2014

© Jeremy Lane, Photo Contest Entry 2015

© Jeremy Lane, Photo Contest Entry 2015

Don’t forget: the 2016 Photo Contest is now open. Enter your photos today!

Summers are Free for Military Families at Wildlife Sanctuaries

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Hillary T.

2015-bsm-logo-largeMass Audubon is proud to offer free admission to active-duty U.S. military personnel and their families from Memorial Day to Labor Day through the Blue Star Museums program.

All Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries from the Berkshires to the Cape welcome our country’s service men and women to explore nature and observe wildlife this summer.

The Blue Star Museums program is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, the Department of Defense, and Blue Star Families. Each summer it provides military families free access to over 2,000 museums, wildlife sanctuaries, and parks across the country in recognition of their service. All active-duty personnel (including National Guard and Reserve) and their families, up to five people, are eligible upon the presentation of a valid military ID card.