Editing Swamp rabbit (section)

==Range and habitat==
The swamp rabbit is found in much of the south-central United States and along the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf coast]]. It is most abundant in [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], and [[Louisiana]], but also inhabits [[South Carolina]], [[Arkansas]], [[Tennessee]], [[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Missouri]], [[Kentucky]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref name="ADW" /> It is possibly [[extirpated]] (locally extinct) from [[Kansas]].<ref name="NatureServe Explorer" />

Swamp rabbits mainly live close to [[lowland]] water, often in [[Cypress swamp forest|cypress swamps]], [[marsh]]land, [[floodplain]], and river [[tributaries]]. Swamp rabbits spend much of their time in depressions which they dig in tall grass or leaves, providing cover while they wait until the nighttime to [[forage]].<ref name="ADW" /> The swamp rabbit has been suggested for use as an [[Bioindicator|indicator species]], as its preferred habitat is shared by many other species,<ref name="Suriyamongkol-2024" /> the rabbit makes use of different aspects of its habitat, and monitoring is easy to do.<ref name="Hillard-2018" /> The ranges of both the marsh rabbit and eastern cottontail overlap with that of the swamp rabbit.<ref name="Twycrosszoo" />

Habitat loss and fragmentation have caused declines in swamp rabbit populations.<ref name="Nielsen, C.-2019" /> In the northernmost regions of its range, the rabbit is particularly vulnerable during snowy days, as its dark coat makes it particularly visible against the white background, making it more vulnerable to predators. Snow cover constrains both hiding ability and availability of food resources.<ref name="Hillard-2018" />