Nuttall’s cottontail (nuttallii subspecies) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 1

Assessment Summary

Assessment Summary – April 2006

Common name: Nuttall's Cottontail nuttallii subspecies

Scientific name: Sylvilagus nuttallii nuttallii

Status: Special Concern

Reason for designation: This rabbit was first recorded in Canada about 70 years ago and has since increased its range in the Okanagan, where it may have reached the maximum possible extent of its distribution. Remaining rabbit habitat in the Okanagan is less than 8000 hectares, increasingly fragmented, and continues to be lost to urbanization and agriculture. The total population size, based on available habitat, is probably less than 3500 individuals. Rescue potential from Washington is minimal because of the declining availability of habitat. There are substantial uncertainties about the current area of occupancy, which may have declined over the last few decades as habitat has been lost.

Occurrence: British Columbia

Status history: Designated Special Concern in April 1994 and in April 2006. Last assessment based on an update status report.

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