In Mexico, the Omiltemi Cotton-tail Rabbit was rediscovered, a species lost to science since 1904. The specimen was found in the mountains of the Sierra Madre del Sur.
This elusive mammal with coffee shades was sighted by a team led by José Alberto Almazán-Catalán, president of the Institute for Biodiversity Management and Conservation (Inmacob) as reported by Newsweek en Español.
An astonishing rediscovery
The small short-eared animal was captured jumping by camera traps, “not knowing it had been lost for a long time.”
The Omiltemi Cotton-tail Rabbit is a niche species that exclusively inhabits high-altitude coniferous forests, making it particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and human activity.
This discovery provides crucial data for conservationists to understand the ecological role of the species and develop strategies to ensure its survival.
“Just knowing that over 100 years have passed and no other scientist had seen a [Omiltemi] rabbit alive is incredible. It is completely different from the common rabbit, and I felt totally surprised and very happy to have had the opportunity to see one,” stated Almazán-Catalán in a press release.
Unique characteristics and conservation challenges
Despite its name, it does not have the typical white fluffy tail of cotton-tail rabbits; instead, it has a short black tail. The rabbit is smaller than others in the region, with shorter ears and a different colored coat.
Almazán-Catalán’s team began their search in 2019, initially focusing on areas where the rabbit was first documented by naturalist Edward William Nelson in 1904. Although the forests near Chilpancingo, Guerrero, yielded no results, the team moved to more remote higher-altitude areas.
With the help of local hunters, interviews and camera traps, they confirmed sightings in seven out of the ten selected locations. Even though scientists had lost track of the rabbit for over a century, local inhabitants were well aware of its existence, and some communities even relied on the species as a regular food source.
Future perspectives and conservation measures for this rabbit species
The expedition team has achieved 80 percent of its goals but acknowledges that there is still much to learn. Researchers aim to study the rabbit’s reproductive behavior, population size, and ecological role.
Conservation measures will require the collaboration of local residents, authorities, and environmental organizations such as the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP).
Currently, the Sierra Tecuani Biosphere Reserve in Guerrero state overlaps with the rabbit’s habitat, but there are no specific protections for the species. Efforts are being made to design conservation strategies to ensure the survival of the Omiltemi Cotton-tail Rabbit for future generations.
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