One of the 8 hares on WAnimals
Mammals · Lagomorpha · Leporidae
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
Least Concern
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk.
The black-tailed jackrabbit is the commonest hare of the western United States and northern Mexico, recognisable by its enormous black-tipped ears and by the dark stripe that runs along the top of its tail and up onto the rump. It is crepuscular, solitary and prolific, and sustains much of the predator community of the south-west: coyotes, bobcats, golden eagles and hawks. It has benefited from heavy grazing, which replaces tall grass with low scrub and open ground.
Weight
1.3 kg – 3.5 kg
Size
47 cm – 63 cm
Life expectancy
7 years
