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EXPLORE > ANIMALS >MAMMALS
Lepus californicus
Easily identifiable by its large ears and namesake black tail, this is the third largest hare in the world. Adults may grow up to 2 feet (60.9 cm) in length and weigh a maximum of 6 pounds (2.7 kg). These hares have extremely powerful legs which enable them to run as fast as 40 miles per hour (64.3 km/h) to avoid a variety of predators hunting them on land and from the air. Their short fur is generally a dappled brown-gray, which provides a natural camouflage in the desert landscape.
Black-tailed jackrabbits feed mostly on shrubs, seeds and grasses, although diet will vary according to location and season. They may sometimes feed on agricultural crops and are therefore considered a nuisance species by farmers.
Being one of the largest prey species in their habitat, the black-tailed jackrabbit is an important food source for predators like golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, bobcats, coyotes and red foxes. In northeastern Oregon, they may also be taken by gray wolves. For some of these predators, jackrabbits may comprise nearly half of their diet.
Range and Habitat
The black-tailed jackrabbit has a huge range, spread from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. The rabbit is common throughout the desert regions of the western United States and Mexico. Since these hares do not migrate, they can be found year-round in arid grasslands and prairies where there is plenty of open space to run. They may occasionally be found in adjacent forests.
Conservation Status
There are multiple subspecies of this animal, most of which are commonly found. In some areas however, due mostly to widespread poisoning, trapping and other nuisance animal controls, jackrabbits are becoming increasingly rare. They are considered abundant in Oregon.
Lepus californicus
Easily identifiable by its large ears and namesake black tail, this is the third largest hare in the world. Adults may grow up to 2 feet (60.9 cm) in length and weigh a maximum of 6 pounds (2.7 kg). These hares have extremely powerful legs which enable them to run as fast as 40 miles per hour (64.3 km/h) to avoid a variety of predators hunting them on land and from the air. Their short fur is generally a dappled brown-gray, which provides a natural camouflage in the desert landscape.
Black-tailed jackrabbits feed mostly on shrubs, seeds and grasses, although diet will vary according to location and season. They may sometimes feed on agricultural crops and are therefore considered a nuisance species by farmers.
Being one of the largest prey species in their habitat, the black-tailed jackrabbit is an important food source for predators like golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, bobcats, coyotes and red foxes. In northeastern Oregon, they may also be taken by gray wolves. For some of these predators, jackrabbits may comprise nearly half of their diet.
Range and Habitat
The black-tailed jackrabbit has a huge range, spread from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. The rabbit is common throughout the desert regions of the western United States and Mexico. Since these hares do not migrate, they can be found year-round in arid grasslands and prairies where there is plenty of open space to run. They may occasionally be found in adjacent forests.
Conservation Status
There are multiple subspecies of this animal, most of which are commonly found. In some areas however, due mostly to widespread poisoning, trapping and other nuisance animal controls, jackrabbits are becoming increasingly rare. They are considered abundant in Oregon.
