In New York, there are two species of cottontails - the eastern cottontail and the native New England cottontail. The eastern cottontail can be found in fields, farms, and forest edges, while the New England cottontail thrives in dense thicket habitats. Cottontails are named for their short, brown, and whitetails. Their coats are made up of multiple-colored hairs, giving them a brown, speckled appearance. Unlike the snowshoe hare, cottontails remain brown throughout the year. To tell the difference between the eastern cottontail and the New England cottontail, you can look for markings on the forehead or between the ears. The eastern cottontail usually has a white blaze on the forehead, while the New England cottontail has a faint black patch between the ears.
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