Followers

Powered by Blogger.
  • Home
  • Black-Tailed Jackrabbit Main Characteristics

    Black-Tailed Jackrabbit

    Black-Tailed Jackrabbit
    Photographer: Jim Harper


    Black-Tailed Jackrabbit Range Map (North America)
    Black-Tailed Jackrabbit Range Map
    (North America)
    Attribution: IUCN, species assessors & spatial data authors



    Latin Name     Lepus Californicus
    Conservation Status     Least Concern
    Location     North America
    Colour     Buff and Black
    Length     47 - 63 cms (18.5 - 24.8 inches)
    Tail     5 - 11 cms (2 - 4.3 inches)
    Weight     1.3 - 3.1 Kgs (2.9 - 6.8 lbs)
    Life Expectancy     Up to 7 Yrs (in Captivity)

    Main Characteristics

    Black-Tailed Jackrabbits have a body length between 47 and 63 cms (18.5 - 24.8 inches), a tail length between 5 and 11 cms (2 - 4.3 inches) and they weigh between 1.3 and 3.1 kgs (2.9 - 6.8 lbs).

    They are buff in colour and they have a characteristic black stripe down the centre of their back, a black patch on their rump, and their tail is black on its dorsal surface.

    Habitat

    Black-Tailed Jackrabbits inhabit desert scrubland, praries, farmland and dunes in North America.

    Diet

    Black-Tailed Jackrabbits feed on plants, grasses, sagebrush, cacti, twigs, and bark.

    Breeding

    Black-Tailed Jackrabbits produce 3 - 4 litters each year. After a gestation period of 41 - 47 days, they will give birth to an average of 3 - 4 leverets, but they can have up to 8 young per litter.

    The youngsters are weaned at 2 - 3 weeks and they reach sexual maturity at approximately 8 months old.

    Predators

    Predators of the Black-Tailed Jackrabbit include dogs, cats, coyotes, red foxes, grey foxes, american badgers, mountain lions, bobcats, birds of prey and owls. Rattlesnakes, garter snakes, common raccoons and striped skunks may also prey upon their young.

    Subspecies

    Subspecies of the Black-Tailed Jackrabbit include:

    Alta Mira Jack Rabbit
    Lepus californicus altamirae

    Lepus californicus asellus

    San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit
    Lepus californicus bennettii

    Lepus californicus californicus

    Lepus californicus curti

    Western Desert Jackrabbit
    Lepus californicus deserticola

    Lepus californicus eremicus

    Hidalgo Jack Rabbit
    Lepus californicus festinus

    Lepus californicus insularis

    Lepus californicus magdalenae

    Lepus californicus martirensis

    Lepus californicus melanotis

    Lepus californicus merriami

    Lepus californicus richardsonii

    Lepus californicus sheldoni

    Lepus californicus texianus

    Lepus californicus wallawalla

    Lepus californicus xanti

    Interesting Facts

    Black-Tailed Jackrabbits are also known as:
    Black-Tailed Jack Rabbit
    American Desert Hare
    Share this article :

    Total Pageviews