A massive long-eared hare — not a rabbit — with hindlegs built for explosive escape. Black-tipped ears stand up to 7 inches tall and serve as both radiators and radar.

Also called: Black-tail, Desert Hare, American Desert Hare

Native status: Native to western US into Mexico

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 47–63 cm (19–25 in); ears 10–13 cm (proportionally enormous)
Weight1.5–3 kg (3.3–6.6 lb)
LifespanWild typically 1–5 years; oldest documented 8
OrderLagomorpha
FamilyLeporidae

§ Encyclopedia

The black-tailed jackrabbit, also known as the American desert hare, is a common hare of the western United States and Mexico, where it is found at elevations from sea level up to 10,000 ft (3,000 m). Reaching a length around 2 ft (61 cm), and a weight from 3 to 6 lb, the black-tailed jackrabbit is one of the largest North American hares. Black-tailed jackrabbits occupy mixed shrub-grassland terrains. Their breeding depends on the location; it typically peaks in spring, but may continue all year round in warm climates. Young are born fully furred with eyes open; they are well camouflaged and are mobile within minutes of birth, thus females do not protect or even stay with the young except during nursing. The average litter size is around four, but may be as low as two and as high as seven in warm regions.

Source: Wikipedia — Black-tailed jackrabbit Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Large hare with sandy-gray dark-flecked back; pure white underbelly; very long black-tipped ears; long powerful hind legs; black-topped tail visible from above when running.

Similar species. White-tailed Jackrabbit (no white belly flash, white tail). Antelope Jackrabbit (white flank flash). True cottontails (much smaller, no ear length).

Voice. Generally silent; piercing scream when seized.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Grasses, forbs, mesquite leaves, cacti, crops. Eats own droppings (cecotrophy).

Behavior. Large enormous-eared hare of arid western US grasslands and deserts. Speed up to 56 km/h (35 mph) with 6 m horizontal leaps. Long ears act as efficient heat radiators — blood vessels close to surface dump body heat to the air. Crepuscular and nocturnal in summer; more diurnal in cooler seasons. Critical prey for golden eagles, coyotes, bobcats, and other predators.

§ Range

Western US and Mexico

§ Habitat

Open arid country: deserts, grasslands, agricultural edges

§ Threats

Loss of grassland and shrub-steppe to row crops and energy development, increased recreational shooting.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the black-tailed jackrabbit is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support sage-steppe and grassland conservation. Don't recreationally shoot jackrabbits.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Society of Mammalogists
  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • IUCN Red List 2019