Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The rabbit behind the headline is the Omiltemi cottontail (Sylvilagus insonus), a rare species from Guerrero, Mexico. Scientists rediscovered it during a five-year search in the Sierra Madre del Sur. It had been missing from scientific records since the early 1900s—not known to be extinct, and not unknown to the people who live in the region.
What is the Omiltemi cottontail?
Sylvilagus insonus is a rabbit native to the Sierra Madre del Sur in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It is called a cottontail, but Re:wild’s species profile notes that the rabbit has a short black tail rather than the fluffy white tail many people associate with cottontails. It is also smaller overall and has smaller ears than other local rabbits. Re:wild’s species profile includes a photograph and description.
Where and how was it rediscovered?
Ecologist José Alberto Almazán-Catalán led a five-year search across the rabbit’s mountain range. According to Re:wild’s January 23, 2025 announcement, the team visited 10 areas and detected the rabbit in seven.
Those figures describe survey locations, not how many rabbits exist. They do not establish a population size or show that seven distinct populations were counted. The search drew on interviews with residents as well as field methods that included drones; local knowledge helped researchers decide where to look. Re:wild lost species officer Christina Biggs described the effort as using “everything from interviews to drones to find this little rabbit.”
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- This plush is approx. 4.5" x 9.5" x 7.5" in size.
- Made from the finest quality of materials for lasting love
- Hand-stitched like all Miyoni animals, so each one is unique!
- Features a special hang tag with unique species information
- To ensure stability and quality, this plush contains bean pellets suitable for all ages
Why was the rabbit called “lost”?
The species had not been documented by scientists for more than a century. Re:wild describes it as lost to science since the early 1900s, while residents of the mountain region knew of the rabbit. “Rediscovered” therefore means that researchers found and documented it again; it does not mean an animal known to be extinct returned to life.
The “120 years” in the headline is a rounded description of the gap in scientific documentation, not a precise interval measured from a specific last-sighting date. Re:wild counted the rabbit as the 13th species rediscovered through its Search for Lost Species initiative as of its January 2025 announcement. That is the initiative’s tally at that time, not a global total.
Rank #2
- Extra cute and extremely cuddly, this bunny stuffed animal will become your new best friend.
- This plushie measures just 8 inches tall, perfect for carrying along on adventures of all sizes.
- Life gets messy, so our plush toys are surface washable and easy to clean.
- Designed with high-quality fabrics, this bunny animal plush is an ideal toy for kids and adults alike.
- Wild Republic specializes in educational toys for kids and lifelike stuffed animals.
What is known—and still unknown—about its conservation?
Rediscovery is an important first step, but it does not show that the rabbit is abundant, increasing, or secure. Re:wild’s species profile lists its IUCN Red List status as Data Deficient, meaning the available information is insufficient to establish its conservation status more precisely.
Researchers say more work is needed to establish population size and learn about the rabbit’s behavior, ecology, and role within its range. Almazán-Catalán also identified January through June as a period needing more natural-history information. Re:wild describes that interval as the reproductive season and reports that higher numbers have been recorded then, but the available account does not provide a complete reproductive study or a population estimate.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- Soft plush fabric ; Huggable and super cute ; Comes with its own story
- This plush stuffed animal is securely sewn from high quality acrylic fabrics and filled with white polypropylene plush filling
- Recommended for ages 3+ ; No phthalates, lead, BPA, or heavy metals ; We have our products and components tested in accredited labs for compliance with CPSIA and ASTM F963-11 safety standards ; Please hand wash with light soap and cold water and let air dry
- Size and weight ; Product measures 10 x 5.25 x 8 in inches ; 25.4 x 13.335 x 20.32 in centemeters ; Product weighs approximately 0.26 pounds or 0.117 kilograms
- Manufacturer warranty ; 90 day manufacturer warranty for all manufacturer's defects
Re:wild reported in January 2025 that the newly established Sierra Tecuani biosphere reserve covered the rabbit’s then-known range. At that time, however, no special conservation measures for the Omiltemi cottontail were in place. Range overlap with a protected area is not itself proof that a species has species-specific protection or that threats are controlled.
Residents told researchers they would be willing to help protect the rabbit if evidence showed that poaching or subsistence hunting was contributing to a population decline. That possibility has not been established as a measured cause of decline.
Rank #4
- THE DUTCH LOP EARED RABBIT: Bring home your very own Dutch Lop Eared Rabbit from Living Nature. This adorable, large fluffy rabbit plush pet is the cutest addition to your soft toy collection. Cuddly by nature and accurate by design, collect all your favourite woodland animals in premium soft toy versions for hours of fun with your new furry friends.
- CUDDLY RABBIT COMPANION: Dutch Lop Eared Rabbits are sure to delight animal lovers young and old with their attractive features, fluffy grey fur and floppy ears. Our Grey Dutch Lop Eared Rabbit makes the perfect cuddly companion and unique gift for girls and boys everywhere.
- HIGHLY ACCURATE DETAILING: Our soft rabbit toys are beautifully crafted with accurate detailing from the fur, eyes, and features. Trimmed to perfection, your Grey Dutch Rabbit sports a super soft long fur coat, white belly, tiny nose and long lop ears. Our artists add shading and texture by hand for a realistic finish down to the very last detail!
- EDUCATIONAL FACT TAGS : The Dutch Lop Eared Rabbit cuddly toy comes with an educational tag to learn all about your favourite woodland animal – from their behaviour, diet and even how to take care of them! Young or mature, Living Nature’s stunning rabbit plush is the perfect companion for small animal lovers.
- NATURLI ECO - FRIENDLY TOYS : Buying eco - friendly toys for kids can be tough but here at Living Nature, we’re committed to doing things sustainably. Our Grey Dutch Rabbit is made from Naturli recycled post - consumer PET plastic bottles to create the perfect rabbit gift for your loved one without harming Mother Earth
What the rediscovery means
The finding restores a species missing from scientific records and gives researchers a basis for studying it in the wild. It also underscores why “lost to science” should not be confused with “unknown to local people.” The next conservation decisions depend on information the rediscovery alone cannot provide: how many rabbits remain, how they live, and whether specific pressures require action.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This plush is approx. 7" x 12" x 4.5" in size
- Made from the finest quality of materials for lasting love
- This sleepy bunny plush is hand-stitched like all Miyoni stuffed animals, so each one is made with love!
- Each Miyoni features a special hang tag with unique species information
- To ensure stability and quality, this plush contains bean pellets suitable for all ages
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
