“Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin’ down the bunny trail…” Beatrix Potter (1866-1943), well-known English author and conservationist, was certainly referring to a European cottontail (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in her familiar Easter children’s rhyme, but its North American cousin graces the Ballona Wetlands. You can frequently see Desert cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) on the trails surrounding the Ballona Freshwater Marsh southwest of the Lincoln-Jefferson intersection.
Raptors (birds of prey) naturally prey on cottontails at the Ballona Wetlands, and you can often see Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) circling over the area, searching for the rabbits and other small mammal prey. If aware of attack, the cottontail normally escapes by running away in evasive zigzags; at speeds of over 30 km/h (19 mph). Motorists unintentionally kill cottontails. Startled by oncoming noise and lights, a cottontail may mistakenly dart out in front of a vehicle instead of into the brush. Drive slowly when motoring along Jefferson or Culver through the ecological reserve to give the cottontail time to dart out of the way.
The best time to search for our cottontails is at dawn or dusk, when they forage for food, protected from predators by the low light. Peter Cottontail mainly eats grass, but will eat many other plants and herbs. He rarely needs to drink, getting his water mostly from the plants he eats or from dew. Look far ahead on the trail as you walk, then stop when you see him. Stand still and watch him through binoculars – he will usually not run away if you stay still at a distance.
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Enjoy your Ballona Wetlands!
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