The cottontail rabbit skull is about 3 inches (6.5 cm) from front to back.

Notice the large nipping teeth; cottontails like other lagomorpha have two sets of incisors. It has no canines and very flat molars for grinding.

Notice also that it has a great deal of webbing instead of solid bone. This makes its skull lighter. Why would that be important to a rabbit? How does a rabbit escape its enemies?

This *herbivore's* jaw is quite loose so it can move from side to side to grind its food.

The cottontail rabbit's eyes are on the side. This helps it watch for its *predators*.

Relative to the total size of its skull, do you think its brain cavity is large? How could you find out for sure?

To learn more about the cottontail, visit the Cottontail Rabbit Quick Facts.

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