Sylvilagus floridanus, commonly known as the Eastern Cottontail, is native to North America. Its range extends from the southeastern United States up to New England, westward to parts of Canada, and south through Central America into northern parts of South America.

The Eastern Cottontail typically inhabits a variety of environments, favoring areas with dense vegetation that offers cover and protection. This includes brushlands, woodlands, fields, meadows, and suburban areas. The climate in these regions ranges from temperate in the northern part of its range to subtropical in the southern areas.

Eastern Cottontails play a vital role in their ecosystem by serving as prey for a range of predators, including foxes, hawks, and owls. They feed primarily on herbaceous plants, grasses, and in winter, twigs and bark, thus influencing the vegetation structure and contributing to seed dispersal.