A medium-sized prairie hare that turns white in winter (except for the white-tipped ears). Major prey for prairie predators.

Native status: Native to northern Great Plains

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 45–60 cm; tail 5–10 cm
Weight2–4 kg
LifespanWild 5–8 years
OrderLagomorpha
FamilyLeporidae

§ Encyclopedia

The white-tailed jackrabbit, also known as the prairie hare and the white jack, is a species of hare found in western North America. Like all hares and rabbits, it is a member of the family Leporidae of order Lagomorpha. It is a solitary individual except where several males court a female in the breeding season. Litters of four to five young are born in a form, a shallow depression in the ground, hidden among vegetation. This jackrabbit has two described subspecies: L. townsendii townsendii occurring west of the Rocky Mountains and L. townsendii campanius occurring east of the Rocky Mountains.

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

§ Identification

Field marks. Large hare with long ears; brown in summer, white in winter.

Similar species. Black-tailed Jackrabbit (smaller; different range edge). Snowshoe Hare (smaller).

Voice. Scream when seized.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Grasses, sedges, forbs.

Behavior. Large hare of northern Great Plains. Turns white in winter (except black-tipped ears).

§ Range

Northern Plains and Rocky Mountains

§ Habitat

Shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies

§ Threats

Habitat loss to row crops, secondary effects of rodenticides on predators.

§ Conservation status

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

§ What helps

Support prairie conservation. Skip rodenticides.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Society of Mammalogists
  • IUCN Red List 2019