One of the 8 hares on WAnimals

Mammals · Lagomorpha · Leporidae

Antelope Jackrabbit

Lepus alleni

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The antelope jackrabbit is a species of North American hare that lives in southern Arizona and north-western Mexico. Within this range, it occupies dry desert areas. This species is placed in the family Leporidae, which is within the order Lagomorpha. Male and female antelope jackrabbits are identical in appearance. This species is large with long, pointed ears and a distinctive coat colouring. The antelope jackrabbit has a white belly, pale grey sides, a back flecked with black and an orange colouring on the neck and breast. It is similar to species such as the black-tailed jackrabbit and the white-sided jackrabbit. It is most active at dusk (crepuscular) and at night, but can be active during the day when conditions are favourable. It feeds on cactus, mesquite leaves and other vegetation.

Weight

2.7 kg – 5.9 kg

Size

55 cm – 67 cm

Lifespan

5 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

3countries14parks11same family

Fun facts

  • Its ears work as radiators: by dilating the blood vessels it sheds heat by radiation towards the sky, a cooling mechanism that costs it not a drop of water.
  • When it flees it raises and shows its white flank on alternate sides, a signal similar to the pronghorn's, and that is where its name of antelope jackrabbit comes from.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type
Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment
Scrub deserts and arid grassland of the south-western United States and north-western Mexico
Gestation / incubation
42 days
Litter / clutch size
2

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepus_alleni

Where to watch it

Parques y spots de buceo donde se ha documentado esta especie — se muestran 10 de 14 documentados.

Related species

Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Antelope Jackrabbit — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.

Keep exploring

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