Editing Swamp rabbit (section)

==Characteristics==
[[File:Sylvilagus aquaticus 370111366 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|alt=A photograph of a swamp rabbit in profile on rocky ground |''S. aquaticus'' in [[Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center]]]]

''[[Sylvilagus]] aquaticus'' is the largest of the cottontail species,<ref name="Álvarez-Castañeda-2024" /> although its ears are smaller than those of other cottontails, being medium-sized with relation to the rest of its body.<ref name="Twycrosszoo" /> The head and back are typically dark or rusty brown or black, while the throat, [[Anatomical terms of location|ventral surface]], and [[tail]] are white, and there is a [[cinnamon]]-colored ring around the eye.<ref name="ADW" /> While largely similar to [[eastern cottontail]]s (''S. floridanus'') in appearance, the swamp rabbit differs in the sizes of its ears and skull; the former are much smaller, and the latter is larger. Additionally, the back portions of the swamp rabbit's hind legs are orange, in contrast to the tan or white feet of the eastern cottontail.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" /> Like other [[leporid]]s, it has a [[dental formula]] of {{DentalFormula|upper=2.0.3.3|lower=1.0.2.3|total=28}}—two pairs of upper and one pair of lower [[incisor]]s, no [[Canine tooth|canines]], three upper and two lower [[premolar]]s on each side, and three upper and lower [[Molar (tooth)|molars]] on either side of the jaw.<ref name="Twycrosszoo" />

''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' males vary in weight from approximately {{convert|4|lb|kg|abbr=on}} to {{convert|5.6|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, with an average of about {{convert|5|lb|kg|abbr=on}}; females vary from approx. {{convert|3.6|lb|kg|abbr=on}} to {{convert|5.9|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, averaging about {{convert|4.8|lb|kg|abbr=on}}. ''S.&nbsp;aquaticus'' ranges in length from approx. {{convert|17.8|inch|cm}} to {{convert|21.7|in|cm|abbr=on}}, with an average length of about {{convert|19.7|in|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ADW" /> Males and females of the species show very little [[sexual dimorphism]] with regard to size.<ref name="Heldstab-2021" /> The subspecies ''S.&nbsp;a. littoralis'' is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by its darker, redder fur color, in addition to its geographic restriction to the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf coast]].<ref name="EWN1909" /> Very little is known about the [[physiology]] of the swamp rabbit.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" />