Have you wondered why some animals are called hares and others rabbits when they look so much alike? Although they are closely related, there actually are differences. For instance, hares have nests above ground, and their babies are fully covered with fur and have wide-open eyes when they are born. Also, they can hop around within just a few minutes.
Rabbits, however, are born in underground nests, have no fur at all, and their eyes are closed. Unlike hares, baby rabbits don't venture outside for about three weeks. Both rabbits and hares are silent animals, but in serious danger they can let out loud screams.
There are some 80 species of rabbits, but today we will just consider a few of the cottontails. It is natural for us to consider all cottontails as likable as they are so inoffensive and quietly go about their business, eating inner bark of saplings and shrubs, as well as clover and various grasses, fruit and other foods. This is one of God's creatures that has no desire to harm any living thing and just takes care of its own needs. Incidentally, the cottony underpart of their tails, which is almost always showing, accounts for their name.
All cottontails are timid, with short bodies, small roundish faces, large ears (but nowhere as big as a jackrabbit's), placid eyes and most have soft tannish fur. But two kinds, both referred to as swamp marsh rabbits, don't have underground nests. These live above ground and at times build large nests among the low branches of bushy trees.
Among rabbits in general, many live on marshy land, but others prefer arid deserts. Two of these are the pygmy and the nuttall—both cottontails. The nuttall is considerably larger than the pygmy and not as shy. The pygmy is really tiny, weighing less than a pound and, going about its business mostly at night, it is seldom seen. A resident of the desert close to the mountains of California and Oregon, it is clever in caring for itself and raising its young where food and water are scarce, summers are very hot, and winters are extremely cold.
Perhaps because of the presence of these two varieties in those areas, a shrub which grows only in those areas has the name "rabbit brush," The pygmy particularly likes to make its home under this shrub, where it is not exposed to some enemies that are numerous in the more lush desert sagebrush.
These little animals are clever at hiding themselves, but are always under the watchful care of God, their Creator. As the beginning Bible verse tells us, we are never out of His watchful care either. Have you thanked Him for this love and accepted the invitation to become one of His own children by accepting His Son, the Lord Jesus, as your Savior? Have you thanked Him for His care of you today?