Prehistoric
The rabbit family, Lagamorpha, is one of the oldest mammal families known. Fossilized remains dating back 50 million years have been found in Asia and North America .
The rabbit was an important food source for prehistoric people in the current US area. Skeletal remains have been found in numerous dig sites. The rabbit has been represented in prehistoric art.
Pre-Settlement
In certain Native American cultures, the rabbit was considered an important ceremonial animal.
Settlement
Cottontail rabbits were not abundant in the US when settlers first arrived. It was not until forests were cleared, letting brushy undergrowth to grow, and the disappearance of predators, like wolves and cougars, that the rabbit population began to increase.
19th Century
Rabbit populations remained high throughout the 1800's.
20th Century
Rabbit populations changed year to year. They were especially abundant during the early 1920's. Rabbit hunting season lasted for three months and it was even permissible to shoot rabbits from a car at night. The limit was ten rabbits per day per hunter. Despite the heavy hunting, rabbit populations remained stable as long as there was enough food and shelter. Improvements in farm machinery and the use of herbicides caused for a sharp decline in rabbit habitat. Rabbits were forced to move to insufficient cover areas. Their populations dropped until they reached the carrying capacity of the land. Another reason for their decline was the reforestation.
Resources: The Ohio State University Extension Factsheet University of Michigan Gottschang, Jack L. A Guide to the Mammals of Ohio . Columbus , OH : The Ohio State University Press,1981.
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