California
Lepus californicus  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | |
| Type of Animal: | Mammals |
|---|---|
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Lagomorpha |
| Family: | Leporidae |
| Federal Status: | |
| State Status: | |
| Occurrence: | |
| Habitat: | Grassland,Meadow,Farmland |
| Description: | Black-tailed jackrabbits are actually hares and not rabbits. Hares are bigger and have bigger ears. In fact, black-tailed jackrabbits were originally called "jackass rabbits" because their large ears resembled those of a donkey. Hares have bigger hind legs that allow them to run faster and leap higher to escape predation. Black-tailed jackrabbits can leap six feet in the air and a distance of twenty feet when being chased! Since rabbits are slower, they tend to hide from predators instead of attempting to outrun them. Another difference between hares and rabbits is that young hares are born with fur and with their eyes open. Rabbits are born with no fur and with their eyes closed. Black-tailed jackrabbits are native to the western United States. They can live in a variety of habitats, but they are most commonly seen in agricultural areas. They feed in large groups in fields, and are often seen in the open rather than hidden in brush. They mostly feed at night since they are nocturnal animals. During the day they usually rest in shady areas. They make small depressions in the ground called "forms" to rest in. The breeding season for black-tailed jackrabbits varies depending on the location. Litter sizes tend to be larger in the northern populations, but the breeding season is shorter. Females in the north have approximately four litters per year. The breeding season is longest within the southern populations. Females there have approximately seven litters per year, but the litters are smaller than those in the north. Young in all areas are born with fur and with their eyes open. Within a few hours the young are hopping around and within a month they are independent. Black-tailed jackrabbits are considered by many to be agricultural pests because they kill many of the crops. As a result, humans are one of their main predators. Other predators include hawks, owls, and coyotes. |
| Effort: | |
| References: | Jameson et al. 1988. California Mammals. Wilson et al. (editors). 1999. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Whitaker (editor). 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals, Revised Edition. Zeiner et al. (editors). 1990. California’s Wildlife, Volume III, Mammals. |
| Other Sites: | |
| Field Office(s): | Bakersfield; Barstow; Bishop; Eagle Lake; Mother Lode; Needles; Palm Springs; Redding; Ridgecrest; Ukiah |