Things You'll Need:
- Gloves, if desired
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Step 1
Track Cottontail rabbits in their native areas. This includes brushy areas during the night, at dusk or at dawn. They do not burrow, but hide in large bunches of tall grass and brush.
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Step 2
Look for a track 6 to 9 inches long. The pattern of a cottontail rabbit's tracks resembles a running movement. The front feet hit the ground, but the hind feet come up in front of the front feet before the rabbit thrusts again to move. The only other animals who leave tracks like this are brown squirrels, and their tracks are much smaller.
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Step 3
Examine the detail of the tracks. Unfortunately, sometimes cottontail rabbit tracks cannot be distinguished from dents in the mud or dirt. This is because their feet are very furry, and they do not always leave clear tracks. Their front feet are pointy, unlike those of other rabbits. Sometimes, their hind feet tracks can be confused with smaller carnivores' tracks.
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Step 4
Look through the tall grasses and brush if you find cottontail rabbit tracks. The rabbits make nests in lower places in the brush. They sleep all day, so it is easier to catch them in this case. A cottontail is brown with a fluffy cottontail, hence the rabbit's name, and has tall ears.
