The cottontail rabbits are the 16 lagomorph secies in the genus Sylvilagus, found in the Americas.

In appearance most cottontail rabbits closely resemble the wild European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Most members of the genus have a stub tail with a white underside that shows when they are retreating, giving them their name "cottontails." However, this feature is not present in all cottontails (for example, the underside of the Brush Rabbit's tail is grey), nor is it unique to the genus (for example, the European Rabbit also has a white scut).

The genus is widely distributed across North America, though most species are confined to particular regions. Most (though not all) species live in nests called forms, and all have altricial young.



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