Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) drinking, Sonoran Desert, Arizona. The adult Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus auduboni) is a light colored rabbit, tan to gray, with a yellowish tinge. The underside of the body is whitish. It often has a orange-brown throat patch. The tail is rounded and looks like a cottonball. The Desert Cottontail's length is 13-17 inches; ears average 3-4 inches long; they weigh 2-3 pounds. Females are larger than males. Desert Cottontails can be found from eastern Montana to western Texas, central Nevada, southern California south to Baja California and Northern Mexico.