to determine the size of home range are
shown in the lower part of Figure 3.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The home range and movements of the cottontail were studied on a
90-acre area of the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation
from February, 1954, to March, 1956. Eighty-nine cottontails were
identified in the field 59 times, trailed 70 times and captured in
live-traps 326 times in 7,850 trap nights. Home range of the cottontail
was calculated by five methods, using the same set of data, and the
results were compared. A composite method was used, which permitted the
use of more data than any other one method.

The maintenance of a home range is of survival value to the cottontail.
Knowledge of the home range is of value to man when control or
propagation of cottontail populations is desired. Cottontails establish
a home range where they are born and enlarge it to nearly full size the
first winter. Home ranges of cottontails are overlapped by those of
others regardless of sex or age. No territory is maintained.

The cottontail makes movements to forage, to seek cover from predators
and the weather, to reproduce, build nests, care for young, keep pace
with changes in vegetation through the year, and escape unusually
severe climatic conditions. Movements may be caused by desire for
acquaintance with surroundings and other animals, escape from
undesirable surroundings or animals, or merely release of nervous
energy.

When foraging, cottontails moved 175 to 325 feet per day, mostly near
woodland edges, and used from 10 to 20 per cent of the home range. When
escaping from predators cottontails moved 30 to 1200 feet and used 5 to
70 per cent of their home ranges, depending on the type of pursuit.
Some cottontails that were followed, ran in almost circular courses for
as far as 3000 feet and covered as much as 90 per cent of their home
ranges. Paths or runways were not used except in deep snow or very
dense vegetation. Movements were limited by deep snow. When
temperatures were unfavorably high or low, cottontails sought cover
deep in the woods or under rock outcrops, and in dry stream beds. In
moderate weather resting places in grass forms, brush piles and
thickets were used.

Both males and females moved farther in the breeding season than in the
rest of the year, but females that were caring for young in summer and
late spring moved shorter distances than they did when not so engaged
in autumn and winter.