Last updated: March 12, 2025
Article
The Search for Scat— Surveying Appalachian Cottontail in Fort Necessity National Battlefield
By Summer Boulais, I&M Science Communicator
March 12, 2025
Deep in the snowy forest of Pennsylvania, biologists trek through the trees in search of something very small. Beautiful scenery surrounds them, but they must keep their focus on the ground. At last, they finally find what they are looking for— rabbit poop!
March 12, 2025
Deep in the snowy forest of Pennsylvania, biologists trek through the trees in search of something very small. Beautiful scenery surrounds them, but they must keep their focus on the ground. At last, they finally find what they are looking for— rabbit poop!

NPS/Nikki Flood
At Fort Necessity National Battlefield (NB), researchers aimed to discover if Appalachian cottontail (Sylvilagus obscurus) were present in the park. Although little is known about their distribution or range, the Appalachian cottontail is listed as a species of greatest conservation need by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PAGC). According to Matt Marshall, Program Manager at the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Inventory & Monitoring Network, their habitat is likely restricted to pockets of forests at higher elevations within the Appalachian Mountains. This limits their ability to relocate when faced with threats such as habitat loss. It is vital to conserve this species and its habitat to maintain balanced forest ecosystems.

NPS

NPS/Nikki Flood
One challenge described by Brenda Wasler— natural resource manager for the National Parks of Western Pennsylvania, was collecting the correct scat, as rabbits often use deer trails to confuse predators. These clever rabbits led researchers on a wild goose chase when genetic analysis showed some poop belonged to deer! Biologists also had to differentiate between the scat of the Appalachian cottontail and Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), a similar but more common species with a larger range.

NPS/Nikki Flood
Knowing that Appalachian cottontails are present in Fort Necessity NB, park managers can now work to protect them during forest restoration projects like invasive plant removal, native tree planting, and deer population management. This inventory opens the door for more studies on the Appalachian cottontail, allowing park staff to track this species through long-term monitoring.
Our knowledge is never really ever complete. There are always things that can be discovered. Then, with that knowledge, how do we change our behavior to protect and enhance the environment?