What is a characteristic feeding behavior of the Eastern Cottontail?

The feeding behavior of the Eastern Cottontail is characterized by stripping bark, which is a common activity among various rabbit species. Eastern Cottontails primarily feed on tender grasses, herbs, and clover, but they can also consume the bark of young trees, particularly during winter months when other food sources are scarce. Stripping bark allows them to access the nutritious layer beneath the outer bark, which is vital for their diet when more desirable food is hard to find.

Gnawing on bark and eating bulbs, while related to animal feeding behaviors, do not accurately describe the typical behaviors of Eastern Cottontails, who focus more on softer plant materials. Antler rubbing, on the other hand, is a behavior specific to male deer and does not pertain to the feeding habits of rabbits at all. Thus, the selection of stripping bark as the correct answer highlights a behavior specifically aligned with the nutritional strategies of the Eastern Cottontail.