Is it a good idea to release new cottontails into New England? Most people say yes. But some people complain. They grumble, “Why spend money to save cottontails? Cottontails are everywhere!”

These complainers might not be looking closely enough. It’s true that Eastern cottontails seem to be everywhere. You might see an Eastern cottontail anywhere from Canada to South America! Some of these rabbits will be reddish brown. Others will be gray. All will have a white, fluffy tail. But these cottontails are not the same as New England cottontails. Eastern cottontails have much bigger eyes. That’s probably why they have survived better than the rare New England rabbit. New England cottontails (also called brush rabbits and coneys) live hidden in brush. Their eyes are not designed to see predators at a far distance. Most New England cottontails have a black spot on their foreheads. Half of Eastern cottontails have a white spot in the same place. New England cottontails can’t survive in a huge range of places like the Eastern cottontail can. That’s another reason the New England cottontail needs to be saved.

God made all the species in the world. We know animals belong to the same species when they can interbreed. As far as biologists can tell, Eastern cottontails and New England cottontails do not interbreed. They are not the same. Each species is unique—if you look closely enough.