Event Title
Where Have All the Rabbits Gone?
Faculty Mentor
Alfred Mead
Keywords
Alfred Mead
Abstract
Most drivers in Georgia recognize common small mammals such as Armadillos, Opossums, Raccoons, Rabbits, and Squirrels. Eastern Cottontail Rabbits claim many local areas of Georgia as natural habitats due to the availability of open land with brush and the availability of herbaceous forage. High reproduction rates maintain large population numbers despite losses due to roadkill, hunting, and predation. An analysis of roadkill data from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in the 1970’s and Georgia College roadkill surveys within the past three years suggests that the overall abundance of Eastern Cottontails has declined by approximately two thirds. This decline may be attributed to increased predation by invasive species such as coyotes and feral cats, habitat loss due to urbanization, and decreased food resources. More detailed monitoring of Cottontail predator populations may be necessary to prevent significant population decline of not only rabbits, but other small mammalian prey species.
Session Name:
Poster Presentation Session #1 - Poster #09
Start Date
4-4-2014 11:30 AM
End Date
4-4-2014 12:15 PM
Location
HSB 3rd Floor Student Commons
Where Have All the Rabbits Gone?
HSB 3rd Floor Student Commons
Most drivers in Georgia recognize common small mammals such as Armadillos, Opossums, Raccoons, Rabbits, and Squirrels. Eastern Cottontail Rabbits claim many local areas of Georgia as natural habitats due to the availability of open land with brush and the availability of herbaceous forage. High reproduction rates maintain large population numbers despite losses due to roadkill, hunting, and predation. An analysis of roadkill data from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in the 1970’s and Georgia College roadkill surveys within the past three years suggests that the overall abundance of Eastern Cottontails has declined by approximately two thirds. This decline may be attributed to increased predation by invasive species such as coyotes and feral cats, habitat loss due to urbanization, and decreased food resources. More detailed monitoring of Cottontail predator populations may be necessary to prevent significant population decline of not only rabbits, but other small mammalian prey species.