Mammal field guide · Hares and Rabbits

Photographing the Mountain Cottontail

How to photograph the Mountain Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (May, June and July).

35–65 cm1/2000 s
Mountain Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii)
Photo: © ayden, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by ayden via iNaturalist
35–65 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
5,456
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionGet down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 50 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)116 mm174 mm77 mm58 mm
10 m (33 ft)232 mm347 mm155 mm116 mm
15 m (49 ft)348 mm521 mm232 mm174 mm
20 m (66 ft)464 mm695 mm309 mm232 mm
30 m (98 ft)696 mm1,042 mm464 mm348 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,160 mm1,737 mm774 mm580 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 3% Jan Feb: 3% Feb Mar: 5% Mar Apr: 9% Apr May: 14% May Jun: 17% Jun Jul: 18% Jul Aug: 12% Aug Sep: 9% Sep Oct: 5% Oct Nov: 3% Nov Dec: 3% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: May, June and July.

About the Mountain Cottontail#

The mountain cottontail or Nuttall's cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) is a species of mammal in the family Leporidae. It is found in Canada and the United States.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Backlit ears at sunrise make classic portraits.
  • Get down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
  • Sightings peak in May, June and July, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Hares and Rabbits#

Eastern Cottontail Eastern CottontailSylvilagus floridanus Desert CottontailSylvilagus audubonii Black-tailed Jackrabbit Black-tailed JackrabbitLepus californicus Snowshoe HareLepus americanus Marsh Rabbit Marsh RabbitSylvilagus palustris Brush Rabbit Brush RabbitSylvilagus bachmani White-tailed Jackrabbit White-tailed JackrabbitLepus townsendii European Rabbit European RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Mountain Cottontail?

At about 50 cm long, a mountain cottontail fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 232 mm, or at 20 m with 464 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Mountain Cottontail?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Mountain Cottontail?

Observations in North America peak in May, June and July. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources