Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1982
Keywords
Sylvilagus floridanus; Browse (Animal food); Windbreaks, shelterbelts, etc.
Abstract
Use of woody vegetation as winter food by eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) was investigated in a southeastern Minnesota farmstead shelterbelt. Cottontails browsed on 11 species but exhibited a clear preference only for gooseberry (Ribes spp). When snow covered herbaceous vegetation during late winter, cottontails relied more heavily on high fiber, lower protein woody browse. Shelterbelt management that allows invasion of gooseberry and blackcap raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) provides winter food for cottontails and may reduce damage to planted trees.
First Page
13
Last Page
15
Recommended Citation
Swihart, R. K.,
&
Yahner, R. H.
(1982).
Browse Use by Eastern Cottontails in a S.E. Minnesota Farmstead Shelterbelt.
Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science, Vol. 48 No.2, 13-15.
Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu/jmas/vol48/iss2/5
Primo Type
Article