What is the difference between a jackrabbit, a hare, and a rabbit?
As nouns the difference between hare and jackrabbit is that hare is any of several plant-eating animals of the family leporidae, especially of the genus lepus, similar to a rabbit, but larger and with longer ears while jackrabbit is any of several large north american hares of the genus lepus.
What animals live in a jackrabbit's habitat?
Jackrabbits are an important food source for many animals. These can include coyotes, Red-tailed Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks, eagles, foxes, bobcats, and humans. Jackrabbits will often rest in the shade during the heat of the day in a shallow depression under grass or bushes.
Can a jackrabbit be a pet?
Pet Jackrabbits Jackrabbits, and other hares, have not been domesticated and don’t usually make good pets. However, there are a couple of rabbit breeds who look very much like jackrabbits and can make lovely companions, the Belgian hare perhaps being the most hare-like example.
Is a jackrabbit the biggest desert animal?
The black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), 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 (1.4 to 2.7 kg), the black-tailed jackrabbit is one of the largest North American hares.
Are jackrabbits carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores?
One of the facts hares share with rabbits is they are both herbivores.
What does a jackrabbit look like?
The colors of a black-tailed jackrabbit are brown, gray, and white. Most of their fur is brownish gray with white near their nose. The ears of a bl...
What is the difference between a rabbit and a jackrabbit?
When looking at the identification between hares and rabbits, the length of their ears is definitely something to note. The ears of a typical rabbi...
How fast does a jackrabbit run?
A black-tailed jackrabbit can run up to 45mph.
What does a jackrabbit eat?
This animal eats grass, bark, cacti, and twigs. This hare is an expert at finding and digesting a variety of vegetation in its habitat.
What are fun facts about jackrabbits?
One of the most surprising facts about a jackrabbit is it has to eat vegetation for more than survival. A jackrabbit’s teeth are continually growin...
What kind of animal is a jackrabbit?
Though the word rabbit is in its name, this animal is a hare.
Where are jackrabbits found?
These animals live in the western and southern parts of the United States and down into Mexico. They can live in a desert, rocky environment, or op...
Can jackrabbits be pets?
No. These are wild animals that need lots of space to run and forage for their food. A captive jackrabbit is likely to turn aggressive with biting,...
Jackrabbit Physical Characteristics
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Scientific name
Lepus californicus is the scientific name of the black-tailed jackrabbit. Another name for this animal is the American desert hare. The word Lepus refers to this hare’s genus and the word californicus refers to California which is one place where this animal is found. It is in the Leporidae family and the class Mammalia.
Appearance & Behavior
The fur of this animal features a combination of colors, namely gray and brown. Along with a black tail, it has white fur on its face and yellow eyes with round black pupils. This hare is up to two feet long and can weigh three to eight pounds. Ten pounds is the heaviest this hare can be.
Habitat
Black-tailed jackrabbits live in the western and southern parts of the United States and the northern part of Mexico. They are found on the open plains, in rocky areas, and in a desert habitat. These hares can survive in an arid to temperate climate.
Predators and Threats
Black-tailed jackrabbits are herbivores. They look for grass, twigs, bark, and other vegetation at night.
Reproduction, Babies, and Life Cycle
The mating season of this hare goes from January to August. During this time, male and female black-tailed jackrabbits run around chasing each other and leaping in the air, all in an effort to find a mate. These hares have many different partners in a mating season, and a female has three to four litters of babies each year.
Population
The population of the black-tailed jackrabbit is unknown but listed as decreasing. However, these hares have a conservation status of Least Concern.
How big are jackrabbits?
Size: 2 feet. Weight: 3 to 9 pounds. Black-tailed jackrabbits are not actually rabbits, but are hares. Hares are born with fur and are larger than rabbits. They usually have taller hind legs and longer ears.
Where do jackrabbits live?
The young mature quickly and require little care from their mothers. Other species of jackrabbits live in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. While the endangered status of most species is least concern, the Tehuantepec jackrabbit is considered near threatened.
How fast can a black tail jackrabbit go?
Black-Tailed Jackrabbit. These speedy animals are capable of reaching 40 miles an hour. Black-tailed jackrabbits are not actually rabbits, but are hares. Hares are born with fur and are larger than rabbits. They usually have taller hind legs and longer ears.
Is a jackrabbit a mammal?
Jackrabbits are mammals. Because they eat plants, they are called herbivores.
Where do jackrabbits live?
They inhabit fields, open grasslands, farms, pastures and wastelands. Jackrabbits were extensively hunted in the past because of their fur and meat. They are sensitive to diseases (such as tularemia) which occasionally drastically reduce size of the population. Luckily, jackrabbits have high reproduction rate and they are able to accomplish previous numerousness after short period of time. Jackrabbits are not on the list of endangered species.
How long can a jackrabbit live?
Jackrabbits can survive from one to five years in the wild.
How big do Jackrabbits get?
Jackrabbits are not on the list of endangered species. Jackrabbit can reach 2 feet in length and from 3 to 9 pounds of weight.
What are the predators of jackrabbits?
Main predators of jackrabbits are coyotes, foxes, wolves, bobcats and large birds of prey such as eagles and hawks. Jackrabbits use shallow depressions in the ground covered with grass as shelters and hiding places from predators. These depressions are known as "forms".
Why are jackrabbits considered pests?
Jackrabbits are often treated as pests because they quickly destroy crops. They have ferocious appetite and ability to consume one pound of food per day. Jackrabbits are fast and agile animals. They are able to leap 10 feet and move at the speed of 40 miles per hour.
What color is a Jackrabbit's tail?
Jackrabbit is covered with dark brown fur with black markings on dorsal side of the body. They have long, black tipped ears. Tail is short, black on the upper side and white on the underside.
Why do jackrabbits thump the ground?
Jackrabbits thump the ground with hind legs to alarm other animals about potential danger. Jackrabbits are solitary animals except during the mating season which takes place from February to July. Phrase "as mad as March hare" refers to unusual "boxing" behavior of jackrabbits that is typically seen during the spring.
How much does a Jackrabbit weigh?
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds. Color: In summer, the jackrabbit is brown gray, with a white belly, feet, and tail. In winter, the fur changes to white, with somewhat darker ears. In more southern climates, jackrabbits do not change color.
Where do Jackrabbits live?
Habitat and range. Brownish-gray in summer and white in winter, the jackrabbit lives in open areas and seldom is found near wooded windbreaks, except in the most severe winter weather. It is a prairie hare which is more abundant in wide open grasslands of the west. Although both were once numerous, grasslands and jackrabbits have given way ...
What do jackrabbits eat?
Jackrabbits eat several plants and seeds such as winter wheat, dandelion, and blue gramma grass. Jacks seek out high-protein foods, and eat their own droppings as a source of protein.
What is the largest rabbit in the world?
Lepus townsendii. The white-tailed jackrabbit, or "jack," is the largest member of the rabbit and hare family, weighing from six to ten pounds. The long-legged jackrabbit is best recognized by its unusual style of running. When surprised, it will usually bound off with a gait resembling that of a kangaroo.
How fast can a rabbit leap?
General description: Exceptionally long ears, the ability to leap 10 feet at a time at speeds of 40 miles per hour, and seasonal fur color change distinguish this rabbit from others.
Is a white tail jackrabbit a game?
Population and management. White-tailed jackrabbits are classed as a "game species" in Minnesota, and during the autumn and early winter hunting season, several thousand are killed each year for their meat. But predators take several times more jacks than do hunters.
