{"id":7921,"date":"2016-07-06T16:43:23","date_gmt":"2016-07-06T20:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=7921"},"modified":"2016-07-07T12:09:07","modified_gmt":"2016-07-07T16:09:07","slug":"take-5-down-the-rabbit-hole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-down-the-rabbit-hole\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Down the Rabbit Hole"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0The Eastern cottontail\u00a0was introduced into the state before 1900 to bolster the rabbit population and is now the most common rabbit in Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

Wild cottontails have a life expectancy of less than two years. Nearly half the young die within a month of birth, largely\u00a0because cottontails are a popular menu item for foxes, weasels, raccoons, minks, snakes, crows, and several common species of hawks and owls.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> page, and enjoy these photo contest entries of cottontails (at least the pictures won’t nibble your carrots!).<\/p>\n

\"\u00a9

\u00a9 Susumu Kishihara, Photo Contest Entry 2013<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\u00a9

\u00a9 Frank Vitale, Photo Contest Entry 2012<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\u00a9

\u00a9 Julia Swerdlov, Photo Contest Entry 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\u00a9

\u00a9 Priya Ramachanriya Surendranath, Photo Contest Entry 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\u00a9

\u00a9 Jeremy Lane, Photo Contest Entry 2015<\/p><\/div>\n

Don’t forget: the 2016 Photo Contest is now open. Enter your photos today<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0The Eastern cottontail\u00a0was introduced into the state before 1900 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[158],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-take-5"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-23L","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13563,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/my-funny-nature-valentines-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":7921,"position":0},"title":"My Funny {Nature} Valentine’s 2020","author":"Ryan D.","date":"February 12, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Happy Valentine\u2019s Day from Mass Audubon! Show your nature-loving sweetheart how much you care with one of these \"punny\" nature valentines\u2014or better yet,\u00a0consider making a donation\u00a0in honor of your special someone and share some love for our mission to protect the nature of Massachusetts, too. To see even more options,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Stuff We Love"","block_context":{"text":"Stuff We Love","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/stuff-we-love\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American Black Bear \u00a9 Dorrie Holmes","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/4550Dorrie_Holmes20115_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/4550Dorrie_Holmes20115_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/4550Dorrie_Holmes20115_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/4550Dorrie_Holmes20115_fi.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10635,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-scratching-an-itch\/","url_meta":{"origin":7921,"position":1},"title":"Take 5: Scratching an Itch","author":"Ryan D.","date":"March 5, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Have you ever watched a dog or cat contort itself to get at a particularly bothersome itch? Did you feel a little envious? Everyone experiences the occasional impossible-to-reach itch and it can feel like you'd do anything to get to it. Now imagine your entire body is covered by thick\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Red Squirrel \u00a9 Janice Koskey","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/03\/1345JaniceKoskey4555_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/03\/1345JaniceKoskey4555_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/03\/1345JaniceKoskey4555_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15086,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-6-2020-photo-contest-winners-under-18\/","url_meta":{"origin":7921,"position":2},"title":"Take 6: 2020 Photo Contest Winners, Under 18","author":"Ryan D.","date":"December 28, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"With the passing of each year, we all grow a little older (though perhaps a bit more grateful than usual to be leaving this particular year behind). But the entrants to the Under 18 bracket of our annual Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest stay \"forever young,\" so how\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Photo Contest"","block_context":{"text":"Photo Contest","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/photo-contest-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Fireflies and Star Trails, Winner: Landscapes, under 18 \u00a9 Will Draxler","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/LandscapesUnder6425Will_Draxler32659.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/LandscapesUnder6425Will_Draxler32659.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/LandscapesUnder6425Will_Draxler32659.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/LandscapesUnder6425Will_Draxler32659.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":574,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/natures-gold-medalists-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":7921,"position":3},"title":"Nature’s Gold Medalists","author":"Heather","date":"August 6, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"The Summer Olympics are in full swing, and we've got competition on the brain! As our favorite athletes take to the world stage, we couldn\u2019t help but wonder who might give them a run for their money in the natural world.\u00a0Our resident wildlife expert, Linda Cocca, shares her thoughts on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/prayingmantisUSFWScropped.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/prayingmantisUSFWScropped.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/prayingmantisUSFWScropped.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3219,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/get-started-with-wildlife-tracking\/","url_meta":{"origin":7921,"position":4},"title":"Get Started with Wildlife Tracking","author":"Rosemary","date":"February 18, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"When it snows, something magical happens: you can peek into the lives of many secretive creatures by examining the tracks they leave behind. Tracking is about more than just following an animal\u2019s trail. It\u2019s about discovering the natural world around you while sharpening your powers of observation. Like any skill,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"deer","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/02\/deer-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4495,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-new-coat-for-winter\/","url_meta":{"origin":7921,"position":5},"title":"A New Coat for Winter","author":"Rosemary","date":"December 16, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Like us, many animals put on a new set of \u201cclothes\u201d during the colder months. Here are five local creatures that sport different looks in summer and winter. American Goldfinch Spinus tristis When the weather grows cold, people inevitably start asking about all those drab yellow-gray birds that are visiting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/12\/squirrel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7921","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7921"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7921\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7924,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7921\/revisions\/7924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}