How does the gestation period of the Gray Fox compare to that of the Eastern Cottontail?

The gestation period of the Gray Fox is indeed shorter compared to that of the Eastern Cottontail. Typically, the gestation period for a Gray Fox ranges from about 53 to 63 days, while the Eastern Cottontail has a gestation period of approximately 28 to 32 days. This means that while the Gray Fox’s gestation can be relatively longer on the lower end, it is still shorter than what is observed for the Eastern Cottontail, which can have litters sooner outside of the Gray Fox's longer average gestation.

Understanding this difference is important in wildlife management and ecology, as it can influence breeding strategies, population dynamics, and habitat requirements for each species.