omiltemi cottontail rabbit

back button BACK
Omiltemi Cottontail Rabbit
Scientific Name: SYLVILAGUS INSONUSLast Seen: EARLY 1900s IN MEXICOYear Found: 2025Years Lost: over 120 yearsRed List Status: Data Deficient

This species of rabbit was rediscovered in the Sierra Madre del Sur, a small, semi-isolated mountain range in Mexico. The Omiltemi cottontail rabbit was lost to science, but communities in the mountains knew where to find the species. An expedition team visited 10 areas in the state of Guerrero over five years and found the rabbit in seven of these areas. The rabbit has “cottontail” in its name, but instead, its tail is black and short. It’s smaller overall than other rabbits in the area and also has smaller ears.

Partners

Related News and Other Stories

What happens after a lost species is rediscovered? First, we celebrate. Then we get to work.

By Christina Biggs on October 30, 2024

What happens after a lost species is rediscovered? First, we celebrate. Then we get to work.

READ MORE
Rediscovering the Holy Grail of New Zealand moths

By Laura Moreno on October 17, 2024

Rediscovering the Holy Grail of New Zealand moths

READ MORE