While melanistic (black) eastern gray squirrels dominate the squirrel population in some regions of this country, especially near the Great Lakes, melanistic eastern cottontails are rare genetic variants. Indeed, until this morning, I had never seen one despite more than sixty years of exploring natural habitats.
Driving into Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, I saw a black rabbit near the side of the road that scurried into the dense vegetation as I approached. Though escaped or released domestic rabbits account for most black rabbits encountered in America, they retain their docile behavior and are rapidly culled by predators. This morning's cottontail had the lean figure of a wild rabbit and clearly sensed danger from my advancing pickup.
I hoped the black cottontail might re-emerge for photographic documentation but I gave up after ten minutes or so. Accepting the fact that I had just witnessed yet another example of nature's fabulous diversity, I moved on.
