棉尾兔属（学名：Sylvilagus）也称林兔属，是兔科下的一属，分布于美洲，现存以下几种：

Cottontail rabbits are among the 17 lagomorph species in the genus Sylvilagus, found in the Americas.

In appearance, most cottontail rabbits closely resemble the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Most Sylvilagus species have stub tails with white undersides that show when they retreat, giving them their name: "cottontails". This feature is not present in some cottontails (for example, the underside of the brush rabbit's tail is gray), nor is it unique to the genus (for example, the European rabbit also has a white scut).