leucistic cottontail

Question
I caught a leucistic cottontail bunny in my yard. I was wondering if it is a first ever? I have been un able to find any info on any other ever recorded.

Answer
Dear Nick,

It's probably not a first, though it's not very common.  There's more than one type of mutation that can cause leucism, and any mammal with a melanin pathway can suffer a mutation thereof.  :)

If the cottie is an adult, he must be doing fine, despite his relative lack of camouflage.  So I hope you have released him and allowed him to be a happy cottie, as he is meant to be.  But be sure to take good pictures before you release him.

Dana