Mammal field guide · Hares and Rabbits

Photographing the Desert Cottontail

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

35–65 cm1/2000 s
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
46,690
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: 5% Jan Feb: 5% Feb Mar: 9% Mar Apr: 15% Apr May: 14% May Jun: 12% Jun Jul: 11% Jul Aug: 9% Aug Sep: 7% Sep Oct: 5% Oct Nov: 4% Nov Dec: 4% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: April, May and June.

About the Desert Cottontail#

The desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), also known as Audubon's cottontail, is a New World cottontail rabbit, and a member of the family Leporidae. Unlike the European rabbit, they do not form social burrow systems, but compared with some other leporids, they are extremely tolerant of other individuals in their vicinity.

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 April, May and June, 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 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 Mountain Cottontail Mountain CottontailSylvilagus nuttallii

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Desert Cottontail?

At about 50 cm long, a desert 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 Desert Cottontail?

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

When is the best time to photograph a Desert Cottontail?

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

Sources & licences#

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