Most Mississippi hunters are familiar with the wide ranging and common eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), but most are less familiar with the swamp rabbit (S. aquaticus). The swamp rabbit, although a member of the cottontail family, is a challenging quarry and possesses a number of unique characteristics.

Perhaps its most distinguishing feature is its large size relative to the cottontail. The swamp rabbit ranges in length from 18 to 22 inches and reaches a weight of over 6 pounds. In addition to its large size, the swamp rabbit can be identified in the field by the black to rusty brown color of the fur on its back.

Another unique characteristic of this species is its total dependence on the dense bottomland thickets, swamps and marshes that border the river and stream systems throughout Mississippi. Besides swamp rabbit, other common names include “cane cutter” (due to the animal's preference for thickets of cane) and “buck” rabbit (due to its large size). They occur throughout Mississippi and prefer cane brakes and dense thickets in bottom and hardwood swamps that border streams and rivers. They do not stray far from water and they swim and dive with ease. In many cases, the swamp rabbit will head toward water as a refuge from its predators.

Swamp rabbits are mainly active at night. They often feed at dawn or dusk on overcast or rainy days. They usually spend their entire life in less than five acres of good habitat; however, they may cover any area as large as 15 acres when food and cover is limited. Swamp rabbits usually spend most of the daylight hours on ridges near bodies of water. They usually utilize logs or stumps as resting areas. During bad weather conditions, they will utilize brush piles, cane brakes and hollow logs for cover.

Swamp rabbits feed entirely on plants. Swamp rabbits prefer young cane shoots and that is the reason they were given the name “cane cutter.” Emergent vegetation, grasses, sedges and dock are other foods they prefer. In winter, swamp rabbits feed on less favorite foods such as cross fern, poison ivy, green briar, tree seedlings and bark.

The breeding season for swamp rabbits extends from January through September, peaking between February and May when vegetation is at a peak. Swamp rabbits typically nest in hollow logs or stumps. Spanish moss, which is common in certain parts of Mississippi, is sometimes used to line the nest. Swamp rabbits are unlike cotton tails, which are born after a month's gestation, naked and eyes closed. Swamp rabbits are born furred after a gestation of almost 6 weeks and their eyes open almost immediately. Litter size varies from 1 to 6 and three litters are produced per year. Swamp rabbits are able to fend for themselves in a period of 1 week or less. Female swamp rabbits born in the early part of the breeding season may have litters of their own before late summer. Only about 20 percent of the “cane cutters” born in a given year will live longer than 12 to 15 months. This figure will remain stable either with or without normal hunting pressure.

Rabbits are an important food source for a variety of predators including snakes, hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes and bobcats. By converting plant food into animal matter, rabbits constitute an important length in nature's food chain.

On a final note, rabbits may carry the disease tularemia which is transmissible to humans. As a precaution, rubber gloves should be worn when cleaning rabbits since the disease may enter the body through small cuts in the skin.