Lagomorphs
- Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus (I) (Statewide) - Introduced from the midwest. Populations declining due to less meadows. Although now found throughout all 14 counties. Larger body and longer ears than the New England Cottontail.
- New England Cottontail Sylvilagus transitionalis (Originally statewide, now found mainly in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, and southwest Berkshire county) - Once statewide since 1960. Population declined by 86% due to habitat loss. Main habitat in Massachusetts are young forests (bushy areas). A small population has been introduced to a few Boston Harbor islands. It is distinguished from the Eastern Cottontail by having shorter ears, smaller bodys, a black spot between the ears about 90% of the time. However, scientists use the skull shape to tell them apart. In 1980, Cape Cod had some of the most dense populations of New England Cottontails. But in 2000, the population had started to reduce, causing it to become scarce or rare. The population in Berkshire county is uncertain, but it may have also started reducing. Provincetown, Massachusetts also has a small population that seems to be stable. Extirpated from the Elizebeth islands, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. The increase of Fishers, Weasels, Foxes, and Coyotes also is reducing the New England Cottontail population. Although most cottontails can detect predators from far away, New England Cottontails have a hard time detecting predators, which is why it needs young forests. It uses young forests as cover, mainly they stray only 16 feet away from the closest bush. Active mainly at dusk and night, although occasionally comes out at dawn and somtimes even at day.
- European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (I) ( Feral populations around the state) - Also widely introduced from Europe. Feral populations exist in Boston Harbor islands and other parts of the state. Found in suburban areas with fields. Absent from forests.
- Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus (Statewide except Dukes and possibly Nantucket counties) - Frequently seen in wintertime. Found in Woodlands, young forests, and fields. May be found in Nantucket, but there are no records. Found mostly in suburban, and areas uninhabited by humans. The only Lagomorph living in Massachusetts that changes color in the seasons. Originally thought to be a subspecies of Mountain Hare, but has become a separate species.
- European Hare Lepus europaeus (I) (introduced in Berkshire County) - Unsuccessfully introduced to Berkshire county. Now possibly Absent. Reports of them in the state may be wandering individuals from New York.
- Black-tailed Jackrabbit Lepus californicus (I) (Found only in Nantucket Island, possibly extirpated) - Introduced in most of the state. Population declined rapidly. Now only a small population live in Nantucket island. Probably will be extirpated.
Read more about this topic: List Of Mammals Of Massachusetts