View source for Swamp rabbit

{{Short description|Species of mammal}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{redirect|Swamp rabbits|the minor league ice hockey team|Greenville Swamp Rabbits}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Swamp rabbit<ref name="MSW3" />
| fossil_range = [[Pleistocene]]–recent<ref name="PaleobioDB" /><br />{{Fossil range|0.129|0}}
| image = Sylvilagus aquaticus 365336366.jpg
| image_caption = ''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' in [[Baton Rouge]], Louisiana, United States
| image2 = Sylvilagus aquaticus sopping 429497441.jpg
| image_alt = A photograph of a swamp rabbit in the grass taken from the side, with the rabbit's head facing towards the camera
| image2_alt = A rabbit looking to the left, standing in shallow water, its lower body dripping and wet with water
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="Nielsen, C.-2019" />
| status2 = G5
| status2_system = TNC
| status2_ref = <ref name="NatureServe Explorer" />
| genus = Sylvilagus
| species = aquaticus
| authority = ([[John Bachman|Bachman]], 1837)
| range_map = Swamp Rabbit area.png
| range_map_caption = Swamp rabbit range
| synonyms = {{Collapsible list|
* ''Lepus aquaticus attwateri'' <small>[[Joel Asaph Allen|J. A. Allen]], 1895</small>
* ''Lepus aquaticus'' <small>Bachman, 1837</small>
* ''Lepus telmalemonus'' <small>[[Daniel Giraud Elliot|D. G. Elliot]], 1899</small>
* ''Limnolagus aquaticus'' <small>[[Marcus Ward Lyon Jr.|Lyon]], 1904</small>
* ''Limnolagus aquaticus attwateri'' <small>Lyon, 1904</small>
* ''Limnolagus telmalemonus'' <small>Lyon, 1904</small>
* ''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' <small>Corbet & J. Edwards Hill, 1980</small>
* ''Sylvilagus aquaticus littoralis'' <small>[[Edward William Nelson|E. W. Nelson]], 1909</small>
* ''Sylvilagus aquaticus aquaticus'' <small>[[Robert S. Hoffmann|R. S. Hoffmann]] & A. T. Smith, 2005</small>
}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="MDD" />
}}

The '''swamp rabbit''' ('''''Sylvilagus aquaticus'''''), also known as the '''cane cutter''', '''swamper''', or '''cane jake''', is a [[species]] of [[cottontail rabbit]] found in the [[swamp]]s and [[wetland]]s of the [[southern United States]]. It is [[herbivorous]], [[Territory (animal)|territorial]], and [[nocturnal]]. The largest of the cottontail rabbits, it is similar in appearance to the [[eastern cottontail]], but has distinctly smaller ears and orange-colored hind legs. Swamp rabbits are closely related to the [[marsh rabbit]]. The two species likely separated during the [[Pleistocene]] epoch.

The swamp rabbit is most abundant in [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], and [[Louisiana]], and also inhabits [[South Carolina]], [[Arkansas]], [[Tennessee]], [[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Missouri]], [[Kentucky]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. Its habitat is largely dominated by regions near [[lowland]] water. Unlike other cottontail rabbits, the swamp rabbit is territorial and maintains a social order between higher- and lower-ranking males and females via displays of dominance, vocalizations, and occasional fighting. This rabbit is unique in that it ventures into water on its own, unlike other [[Texas]] rabbits, and is rarely spotted during the day due to its secretive nature. When threatened, it will take to water and swim. Swamp rabbits in a given population usually [[Reproductive synchrony|breed around the same time]], giving birth to young that are born blind, immobile, and [[altricial|completely dependent]] for the first few days. Their nests—called forms—are lined with fur and grass. Each litter produces one to six young. The [[breeding season]] varies across the species' range: In Texas, the breeding season lasts all year, but elsewhere occurs between February and August.

Predators, parasites, and human interaction pose threats to the swamp rabbit. [[Dog]]s, [[American alligator]]s, and [[feral pig]]s prey upon the swamp rabbit, and it is a potential host to several parasites—[[Nematode|roundworms]], [[Trematoda|flukes]], and the [[rabbit tick]]. The swamp rabbit is also affected by [[tularemia]], an [[infectious disease]]. It is hunted for its meat and fur, and faces [[habitat loss]] due to expansion of agricultural developments that both remove usable habitat and cause frequent flooding. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] lists it as a [[least-concern species]], but in some states it is protected as a vulnerable or [[Species of concern|special concern]] species.

== Taxonomy and etymology ==
[[File:The quadrupeds of North America (Plate XXXVII) (6260425611).jpg|thumb|left|alt=Illustration of a swamp rabbit labeled "swamp hare" |[[John James Audubon]]'s 1851 illustration of a male "swamp hare"]]

The swamp rabbit was first described in 1837 by the American naturalist [[John Bachman]] as ''[[Lepus]] aquaticus'', described as being collected in "western [[Alabama]]".<ref name="Chapman-1981" /> In 1904, it was placed in the [[genus]] ''Limnolagus'' as the [[type species]] by American mammalogist [[Marcus Ward Lyon Jr.]]; the name was previously used as the [[subgenus]] of both the swamp rabbit and [[marsh rabbit]] (''S. palustris'') in an 1899 work by the Swiss physician [[Charles Immanuel Forsyth Major]].<ref name="Lyon-1904" /> [[Edward William Nelson]], an American naturalist, clarified several years later in 1909 that the species belonged to ''[[Sylvilagus]]'' and grouped it alongside the marsh rabbit.<ref name="EWN1909" /> Common names of the swamp rabbit include "cane cutter", "swamper", and "cane jake".<ref name="Nielsen-2018" />

Two subspecies are recognized: ''Sylvilagus aquaticus aquaticus'', the [[nominate subspecies]] that occupies most of the swamp rabbit's recognized [[Species distribution|distribution]], and ''Sylvilagus aquaticus littoralis'', the coast swamp rabbit,<ref name="Svihla-1929" /> which is found only in a narrow band of [[marsh]]es in [[Mississippi]], [[Louisiana]], and [[Texas]] along the [[Gulf of Mexico]] coast.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" /> Nelson made the distinction between the subspecies in the same 1909 work where the species was classified as a member of ''Sylvilagus'', noting that the ''littoralis'' form had "remarkable" differences from the nominate subspecies and that it had been assumed to be the "true ''aquaticus''" in prior studies.<ref name="EWN1909" />

=== Fossil record ===
''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' [[fossil]]s have been identified as early as the [[Pleistocene]] epoch, with a 1940 discovery of [[Molar (tooth)|molar]] teeth found in a [[Missouri]] deposit dating back to that era.<ref name="Chapman-1981" /> [[Glaciations]] from the [[Illinoian (stage)|Illinoian]] stage (a geological period in North America ranging from {{Ma|.191|.130}}) likely created [[Refugium (population biology)|refugia]] that led to the emergence of the swamp rabbit as a distinct species. Glacial movements in the late Pleistocene (during and after the Illinoian) created a [[hybrid zone]] in western Georgia, which likely led to the separation of the swamp rabbit from the [[marsh rabbit]] (''S. palustris''), its closest relative.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" />

=== Phylogeny ===
The swamp rabbit has 38 [[diploid]] chromosomes,<ref name="Twycrosszoo" /><ref name="Robinson-2008a" /> the same number as the marsh rabbit<ref name="Robinson-2008b" /> and fewer than several other members of ''Sylvilagus''.<ref name="Robinson-2008a" /><ref name="Robinson-2008b" /> Based on [[mitochondrial DNA|mitochondrial]] and [[nuclear gene]] analysis, its closest genetic relative is the marsh rabbit, with which it forms a [[clade]]. Its next closest relatives are the [[desert cottontail]] (''S. audubonii'') and [[mountain cottontail]] (''S. nuttallii'').<ref name="Iraçabal-2024" />

==Range and habitat==
The swamp rabbit is found in much of the south-central United States and along the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf coast]]. It is most abundant in [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], and [[Louisiana]], but also inhabits [[South Carolina]], [[Arkansas]], [[Tennessee]], [[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Missouri]], [[Kentucky]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref name="ADW" /> It is possibly [[extirpated]] (locally extinct) from [[Kansas]].<ref name="NatureServe Explorer" />

Swamp rabbits mainly live close to [[lowland]] water, often in [[Cypress swamp forest|cypress swamps]], [[marsh]]land, [[floodplain]], and river [[tributaries]]. Swamp rabbits spend much of their time in depressions which they dig in tall grass or leaves, providing cover while they wait until the nighttime to [[forage]].<ref name="ADW" /> The swamp rabbit has been suggested for use as an [[indicator species]], as its preferred habitat is shared by many other species,<ref name="Suriyamongkol-2024" /> the rabbit makes use of different aspects of its habitat, and monitoring is easy to do.<ref name="Hillard-2018" /> The ranges of both the marsh rabbit and eastern cottontail overlap with that of the swamp rabbit.<ref name="Twycrosszoo" />

Habitat loss and fragmentation have caused declines in swamp rabbit populations.<ref name="Nielsen, C.-2019" /> In the northernmost regions of its range, the rabbit is particularly vulnerable during snowy days, as its dark coat makes it particularly visible against the white background, making it more vulnerable to predators. Snow cover constrains both hiding ability and availability of food resources.<ref name="Hillard-2018" />

==Characteristics==
[[File:Sylvilagus aquaticus 370111366 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|alt=A photograph of a swamp rabbit in profile on rocky ground |''S. aquaticus'' in [[Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center]]]]

''[[Sylvilagus]] aquaticus'' is the largest of the cottontail species,<ref name="Álvarez-Castañeda-2024" /> although its ears are smaller than those of other cottontails, being medium-sized with relation to the rest of its body.<ref name="Twycrosszoo" /> The head and back are typically dark or rusty brown or black, while the throat, [[Anatomical terms of location|ventral surface]], and [[tail]] are white, and there is a [[cinnamon]]-colored ring around the eye.<ref name="ADW" /> While largely similar to [[eastern cottontail]]s (''S. floridanus'') in appearance, the swamp rabbit differs in the sizes of its ears and skull; the former are much smaller, and the latter is larger. Additionally, the back portions of the swamp rabbit's hind legs are orange, in contrast to the tan or white feet of the eastern cottontail.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" /> Like other [[leporid]]s, it has a [[dental formula]] of {{DentalFormula|upper=2.0.3.3|lower=1.0.2.3|total=28}}—two pairs of upper and one pair of lower [[incisor]]s, no [[Canine tooth|canines]], three upper and two lower [[premolar]]s on each side, and three upper and lower [[Molar (tooth)|molars]] on either side of the jaw.<ref name="Twycrosszoo" />

''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' males vary in weight from approximately {{cvt|4|to|5.6|lb|kg}}, with an average of about {{convert|5|lb|kg|abbr=on}}; females vary from approx. {{cvt|3.6|to|5.9|lb|kg}}, averaging about {{convert|4.8|lb|kg|abbr=on}}. ''S.&nbsp;aquaticus'' ranges in length from approx. {{convert|17.8|inch|cm}} to {{convert|21.7|in|cm|abbr=on}}, with an average length of about {{convert|19.7|in|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ADW" /> Males and females of the species show very little [[sexual dimorphism]] with regard to size.<ref name="Heldstab-2021" /> The subspecies ''S.&nbsp;a. littoralis'' is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by its darker, redder fur color, in addition to its geographic restriction to the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf coast]].<ref name="EWN1909" /> Very little is known about the [[physiology]] of the swamp rabbit.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" />

== Ecology and behavior ==
[[File:Sylvilagus aquaticus - Wendy McCrady - 285301528 (cropped).jpeg|thumb|alt=A photograph of a rabbit standing on its hind legs in flowers and grass with its front paws on its face |Swamp rabbit in [[Brazoria County, Texas]], grooming itself]]

Swamp rabbits are [[Territory (animal)|territorial]], though they will tolerate some overlap between the [[home range]]s of individuals depending on the season.<ref name="Schai-Braun2016" /> These home ranges can vary in size from {{convert|1|to|12|ha}}.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" /> They will mark their territory by "chinning"—marking objects with [[pheromone]]s produced from glands near the [[chin]]. This behavior is also noted in the [[European rabbit]].<ref name="Chapman-1981" /> Males that are competing for territory or status may fight, with battles sometimes resulting in the death of an individual. Males will stand up on their hind legs, lashing out with their teeth and claws, and will even use the claws on their hind feet in jumping attacks.<ref name="Reed-2008" /> However, compared to nonviolent displays of dominance and submission, fighting is rare.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" />

Swamp rabbits maintain social order through displays of dominance, and communicate directly through [[Animal communication|vocalizations]] such as squeaks, chirps, squeals and alert calls. Higher-ranking males will display dominance over lower-ranking males more frequently, and will move within the home ranges of females more frequently, with the [[alpha male]] copulating most often in a given season.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" /> The system of male dominance prevents injury between subordinate breeding males under the alpha, as the lower-ranking individuals will avoid higher-ranking males to prevent conflict. When escaping, swamp rabbits will use confusing maneuvers to evade a pursuer, such as jumping onto a log, running to the end, then backtracking and jumping off the other side.<ref name="Schai-Braun2016" /> They are excellent swimmers, and may also dive into water to escape, sometimes keeping only the nose and eyes above the water.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" />

=== Diet ===
Swamp rabbits are [[herbivorous]]; they eat a variety of [[foraging|foraged]] plants, including [[grass]]es, [[sedge]]s such as ''[[Carex]]'',<ref name="Twycrosszoo" /> [[shrub]]s, [[tree bark]] [[seedling]]s, and twigs.<ref name="ADW" /> Though mostly nocturnal, the swamp rabbit may emerge during rain showers to feed during the day.<ref name="Reed-2008" /> The preferred foods of ''S.&nbsp;aquaticus'' are savannah panicgrass (''[[Panicum]] gymnocarpum''), false nettle (''[[Boehmeria cylindrica]]''), dewberry (''[[Rubus trivialis]]'') and greenbrier (''[[Smilax bona-nox]]'').<ref name="ADW" />

Like all [[lagomorphs]] (rabbits, hares, and [[pika]]s), the swamp rabbit performs [[cecotrope|cecotrophy]] to get more nutrition from its food.<ref name="ADW" /> In this process, food passes through the digestive tract twice, as the swamp rabbit will immediately consume moist pellets expelled from the anus without chewing and leave behind the dry pellets that are subsequently produced. This process is considered similar to the [[cud]]-chewing behavior of [[ruminant]]s.<ref name="Twycrosszoo" />

=== Reproduction ===
[[File:Sylvilagus aquaticus - Brandon Johnson - 484338650.jpeg|alt=A young swamp rabbit standing on four legs among rocks and grasses|thumb|right|Juvenile swamp rabbit]]

Swamp rabbits are [[Reproductive synchrony|synchronous breeders]], and tend to breed all at the same time within a population. Females will line a depression in the ground with fur and grass to form a birthing nest.<ref name="Reed-2008" /><ref name="Svihla-1929" /> These nests, also used for [[thermoregulation]], are known as ''forms'' and are common among the non-burrowing species of rabbit.<ref name="Milling-2017" /> Females give birth to [[altricial]] young—they are immobile upon birth, and only open their eyes and walk after three days. Weaning ends at 15 days, at which point the young leave the nest. They become sexually mature at seven months and reach their adult weight at 10 months.<ref name="Courtney-2008" /> Little is known about the [[Recruitment (biology)|recruitment]] behavior of juveniles into larger groups.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" />

The swamp rabbit's breeding season varies across its range. It occurs year-round in Texas, but elsewhere may take place between February and August. [[Spermatogenesis]] occurs in October and November according to a Missouri study, and in Mississippi, recorded males had descended [[testes]] more often in December and February than in any other months.<ref name="Bond-2006" /> [[Estrus]] lasts one hour following [[induced ovulation (animals)|induced ovulation]]. [[gestation period|Gestation]] lasts 37 days on average. Up to three litters are produced annually,<ref name="Heldstab-2021" /> with each litter producing one to six young. [[Embryo resorption]] can occur in ''S.&nbsp;aquaticus'' in response to stress, causing loss of litters. This is attributed to flooding, which can cause overcrowding<ref name="Courtney-2008" /> as well as directly inducing the release of [[stress hormone]]s.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" /><ref name="Robinson-2008a" />

=== Predators, parasites and diseases ===
Known predators of ''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' are [[Dog|domestic dogs]], [[American alligator]]s, and [[human]]s.<ref name="ADW" /> [[Feral pig]]s are also a potential predator.<ref name="Stevens-2023" /> The swamp rabbit cannot swim fast enough to escape hunting dogs,<ref name="CBC.ca" /> and so will attempt to escape pursuers by hiding under water among plants and brush with only its nose above the surface.<ref name="Reed-2008" /> The species is hunted for [[Rabbit fur|fur]], meat, and sport, and is the second-most commonly [[Rabbit hunting|hunted rabbit]] in the United States. Swamp rabbits have several [[adaptation]]s to avoid predators: [[cryptic coloration]], "freezing", and rapid, irregular jumping patterns.<ref name="ADW" />

''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' is susceptible to [[parasitism]] from various [[roundworms]] in the genus ''[[Brugia]]'', specifically ''B.&nbsp;lepori'', which is [[Endemism|endemic]] to Louisiana.<ref name="Evans-2024" /> The roundworms live in the subcutaneous and lymphatic tissue of the rabbit. ''B.&nbsp;lepori'' is also known to affect the eastern cottontail,<ref name="Eberhard-1984" /> and is suspected as an agent of human ''Brugia'' infections in the northeastern United States.<ref name="Eberhard-1991" /> ''S.&nbsp;aquaticus'' is also affected by other internal parasites, including [[trematodes]] and [[cestodes]], as well as the parasitic tick ''[[Haemaphysalis leporispalustris]]''.<ref name="Chapman-1981" /> It is known to contract [[tularemia]]<ref name="Nielsen-2018" /> and [[leptospirosis]], though the latter disease is not considered to have a major impact on mortality.<ref name="Shotts-1971" />

== Relationship with humans ==
[[File:Sylvilagus_aquaticus_452101911.jpg|thumb|alt=A rabbit seen on an outdoor porch |A swamp rabbit in [[St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana]]]]

The swamp rabbit has an average lifespan of 1.8 years,<ref name="Chapman-1981" /> but individuals living up to 9 years have been recorded.<ref name="NWF" /> It is hunted in its native range, both for its products (meat and fur) and for [[sport hunting|sport]], which has been noted as not significantly affecting populations. Agricultural development within its range has caused [[habitat loss]], as these developments both alter the usable habitat and increase severity and frequency of flooding.<ref name="Nielsen-2018" /> The swamp rabbit is occasionally kept in captivity as a subject of study.<ref name="Svihla-1929" /><ref name="Lowe1958" />

=== Conservation ===
''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' is protected by state-level regulations in some areas. In Indiana, it is classified as "State Endangered", and in Missouri and South Carolina, it is a [[Species of concern|species of special concern]].<ref name="Nielsen-2018" /> The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] considers it a [[least-concern species]] {{as of|2019|lc=y}}, though it notes that the population is decreasing overall.<ref name="Nielsen, C.-2019" />

==See also==
* [[Jimmy Carter rabbit incident]]

==References==
<references>
<ref name="MSW3">{{MSW3 Lagomorpha | pages = 207–208 |id=13500285 |heading=''Sylvilagus (Tapeti) aquaticus''}}</ref>

<ref name="Nielsen, C.-2019">{{cite iucn |author=Lanier, H.C. |author2=Nielsen, C. |date=2019 |title=''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' |volume=2019 |article-number=e.T41296A45190578 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T41296A45190578.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>

<ref name="MDD">{{Cite mdd|access-date=31 March 2025|id=1001123 |genus=Sylvilagus |species=aquaticus }}</ref>

<ref name="Chapman-1981">{{Cite journal |last1=Chapman |first1=Joseph A. |last2=Feldhamer |first2=George A. |date=1981-05-08 |title=''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' |url=https://academic.oup.com/mspecies/article/doi/10.2307/3504012/2600114 |journal=[[Mammalian Species]] |issue=151 |pages=1–4 |doi=10.2307/3504012|jstor=3504012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Lyon-1904">{{Cite journal |url=https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/23223/SMC_45_Lyon_1903_28_321-463.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |pages=329–330 |last=Lyon |first=Marcus Ward Jr. |author-link=Marcus Ward Lyon Jr. |date=1904 |title=Classification of the hares and their allies |journal=Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections |volume=45 |issue=28 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWN1909">{{Citation|first1=Edward William |last1=Nelson |author-link1=Edward William Nelson |title=The rabbits of North America |journal=North American Fauna |date=August 31, 1909 |volume=29 |issue=29 |doi=10.3996/nafa.29.0001 |pages=265–275 |publisher=[[United States Department of Agriculture]] |url=https://meridian.allenpress.com/naf/article/doi/10.3996/nafa.29.0001/163938/THE-RABBITS-OF-NORTH-AMERICA|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

<ref name="Nielsen-2018">{{Lagomorphs2018|first1=Clayton K.|last1=Nielsen|chapter=''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' (Bachman, 1837) Swamp rabbit|first2=Leah K.|last2=Berkman|pages=117-119}}</ref>

<ref name="Robinson-2008a">{{Cite journal |last1=Robinson |first1=T.J. |last2=Elder |first2=F.F.B. |last3=Chapman |first3=J.A. |date=2008-05-07 |title=Evolution of chromosomal variation in cottontails, genus ''Sylvilagus'' (Mammalia: Lagomorpha): ''S. aquaticus'', ''S. floridanus'', and ''S. transitionalis'' |url=https://karger.com/cgr/article-abstract/35/3/216/337270/Evolution-of-chromosomal-variation-in-cottontails?redirectedFrom=fulltext |journal=[[Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics]] |volume=35 |issue=3 |pages=216–222 |doi=10.1159/000131869 |issn=0301-0171 |pmid=6861527|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

<ref name="Robinson-2008b">{{Cite journal |last1=Robinson |first1=T.J. |last2=Elder |first2=F.F.B. |last3=Chapman |first3=J.A. |date=2008-05-08 |title=Evolution of chromosomal variation in cottontails, genus ''Sylvilagus'' (Mammalia: Lagomorpha): II. ''Sylvilagus audubonii'', ''S. idahoensis'', ''S. nuttallii'', and ''S. palustris'' |url=https://karger.com/cgr/article-abstract/38/4/282/337457/Evolution-of-chromosomal-variation-in-cottontails?redirectedFrom=fulltext |journal=[[Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics]] |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=282–289 |doi=10.1159/000132076 |issn=0301-0171 |pmid=6510022|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

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<ref name="Reed-2008">{{cite news |last1=Reed |first1=Don |date=September 2008 |title=Wildlife species profile: Swamp rabbit (''Sylvilagus aquaticus'') |url=http://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/CFE42412-3A8C-4E5B-9D20-5A5248407EEE/50474/WildlifeNewsSept2008HIGHRES.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211124901/http://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/CFE42412-3A8C-4E5B-9D20-5A5248407EEE/50474/WildlifeNewsSept2008HIGHRES.pdf |archive-date=11 December 2014 |access-date=25 November 2014 |work=Louisiana Wildlife News |publisher=[[Louisiana State University]] Agricultural Center |issue=5 |ref=5}}</ref>

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<ref name="NWF">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Swamp-Rabbit|title=Swamp rabbit|website=[[National Wildlife Federation]] |access-date=February 11, 2025}}</ref>

<ref name="PaleobioDB">{{cite web |title=''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' Bachman 1837 (swamp rabbit) |url=https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon_no=51907 |website=[[Paleobiology Database]] |access-date=2025-03-26}}</ref>

<ref name="NatureServe Explorer">{{cite web |title=''Sylvilagus aquaticus'' |website=NatureServe Explorer |url=https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105645/Sylvilagus_aquaticus |access-date=26 March 2025}}</ref>

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</references>

{{Lagomorpha|L.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q583901}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Endemic mammals of the United States]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Southeastern United States]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1837]]
[[Category:Sylvilagus]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Bachman]]