Rare Mexican Rabbit Rediscovered After a Century

Quick Smiles:

• Omiltemi cottontail rabbit seen for first time since 1904
• Five years of searching led to the exciting find
• Local knowledge played a key role in rediscovery

A unique species of cottontail rabbit native to Mexico has been spotted again, more than a century after its last scientific sighting. Dedicated biologists spent five years searching the Sierra Madre del Sur to find the elusive Omiltemi cottontail, notable for its small black tail.

This remarkable discovery is part of Re:Wild’s “25 Most Wanted” list, an initiative focused on rediscovering species believed lost to science. Of the 25, thirteen—including this rare rabbit—have been found thanks to persistence and collaboration with local communities.

“Just knowing that it had been 100 years, and no other scientist had seen a live [Omiltemi] rabbit is incredible,” said José Alberto Almazán-Catalán, the biologist who led the search.

At first, no evidence turned up in the original sighting location, so the team shifted their efforts to higher-elevation conifer forests. Subtle clues from subsistence hunters revealed the animal still lived nearby, a testament to the importance of local knowledge in conservation work around the world.

Although once feared extinct, the population has quietly survived and reproduced in its limited habitat. This success, alongside support from the local community, gives hope that careful stewardship will safeguard the species for the future.

“Eighty percent of the objectives of this project have been achieved,” Almázan shared. He added that ongoing research will help protect the Omiltemi cottontail.

The ongoing Search for Lost Species has now spotlighted remarkable finds across the globe, reminding us that hope and teamwork can bring nature’s hidden treasures back into view.

Nature’s resilience inspires us—let’s share these uplifting discoveries and celebrate the dedicated people working to bring lost species back to the spotlight!

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