Editing Swamp rabbit (section)

{{Short description|Species of mammal}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Swamp rabbit<ref name="MSW3" />
| fossil_range= [[Pleistocene]]–recent<ref name="PaleobioDB" /><br />{{Fossil range|0.129|0}}
| image = Sylvilagus aquaticus 365336366.jpg
| image_caption = ''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' in [[Baton Rouge]], Louisiana, United States
| image_alt = A photograph of a swamp rabbit in the grass taken from the side, with the rabbit's head facing towards the camera
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="Nielsen, C.-2019" />
| genus = Sylvilagus
| species = aquaticus
| authority = ([[John Bachman|Bachman]], 1837)
| range_map = Swamp Rabbit area.png
| range_map_caption = Swamp rabbit range
| synonyms = {{Collapsible list|
* ''Lepus aquaticus attwateri'' <small>[[Joel Asaph Allen|J. A. Allen]], 1895</small>
* ''Lepus aquaticus'' <small>Bachman, 1837</small>
* ''Lepus telmalemonus'' <small>[[Daniel Giraud Elliot|D. G. Elliot]], 1899</small>
* ''Limnolagus aquaticus'' <small>[[Marcus Ward Lyon Jr.|Lyon]], 1904</small>
* ''Limnolagus aquaticus attwateri'' <small>Lyon, 1904</small>
* ''Limnolagus telmalemonus'' <small>Lyon, 1904</small>
* ''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' <small>Corbet & J. Edwards Hill, 1980</small>
* ''Sylvilagus aquaticus littoralis'' <small>[[Edward William Nelson|E. W. Nelson]], 1909</small>
* ''Sylvilagus aquaticus aquaticus'' <small>[[Robert S. Hoffmann|R. S. Hoffmann]] & A. T. Smith, 2005</small>
}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="MDD" />
}}

The '''swamp rabbit''' ('''''Sylvilagus aquaticus'''''), also known as the '''cane cutter''', '''swamper''', or '''cane jake''', is a [[species]] of [[cottontail rabbit]] found in the [[swamp]]s and [[wetland]]s of the [[southern United States]]. It is [[Herbivore|herbivorous]], [[Territory (animal)|territorial]], and [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]]. The largest of the cottontail rabbits, it is similar in appearance to the [[eastern cottontail]], but has distinctly smaller ears and orange-colored hind legs. Swamp rabbits are closely related to the [[marsh rabbit]]. The two species likely separated during the [[Pleistocene]] epoch.

The swamp rabbit is most abundant in [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], and [[Louisiana]], and also inhabits [[South Carolina]], [[Arkansas]], [[Tennessee]], [[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Missouri]], [[Kentucky]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. Its habitat is largely dominated by regions near [[lowland]] water. Unlike other cottontail rabbits, the swamp rabbit is territorial and maintains a social order between higher- and lower-ranking males and females via displays of dominance, vocalizations, and occasional fighting. This rabbit is unique in that it ventures into water on its own, unlike other [[Texas]] rabbits, and is rarely spotted during the day due to its secretive nature. When threatened, it will take to water and swim. Swamp rabbits in a given population usually [[Reproductive synchrony|breed around the same time]], giving birth to young that are born blind, immobile, and [[altricial|completely dependent]] for the first few days. Their nests—called forms—are lined with fur and grass. Each litter produces one to six young. The [[breeding season]] varies across the species' range: In Texas, the breeding season lasts all year, but elsewhere occurs between February and August.

Predators, parasites, and human interaction pose threats to the swamp rabbit. [[Dog]]s, [[American alligator]]s, and [[feral pig]]s prey upon the swamp rabbit, and it is a potential host to several parasites—[[Nematode|roundworms]], [[Trematoda|flukes]], and the [[rabbit tick]]. The swamp rabbit is also affected by [[tularemia]], an [[Infection|infectious disease]]. It is hunted for its meat and fur, and faces [[habitat loss]] due to expansion of agricultural developments that both remove usable habitat and cause frequent flooding. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] lists it as a [[least-concern species]], but in some states it is protected as a vulnerable or [[Species of concern|special concern]] species.