Jack Rabbit Facts
Jackrabbits are known for their speed and agility. With the jackrabbit's ability to switch between jumping and running, predators find it hard to keep pace with--let alone capture--this incredibly fast creature. Unlike the regular rabbit, jackrabbits live in deserts and mountainous regions that can be harsh and challenging.
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Definition
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Jackrabbits are hares and are larger than rabbits, with longer ears and and taller hind legs. They got their name from their characteristically long ears, which resemble a donkey's, and used to be called the "jackass rabbit." Jackrabbits live in southwest Canada, in the United States west of the Mississippi River and into Central America. Jackrabbits warn one another of danger by thumping their hind legs on the ground.
Types of Jackrabbits
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The black-tailed jackrabbit lives in the American desert. Its fur is dark brown to gray, with black accents on the ear tips, back and the top half of the tail. Major predators include hawks, bobcats, foxes and coyotes.
The white-tailed jackrabbit lives throughout western Canada, down into the Rocky Mountains and into central California. At 6 to 8 pounds, they are the largest hare in California. The antelope jackrabbit lives in the American Southwest and northern Mexico, in deserts as well as cities.
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Habitat
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Unlike regular rabbits, hares do not build nests. The mother simply chooses a convenient spot to give birth to young jacks that are born with their eyes open. After a short time of nursing, baby hares soon become independent, active and fleet of foot. As nocturnal creatures, jackrabbits remain quiet and camouflaged during the day. Their color mixes well with grass and weeds, making them difficult to see, especially in the shade.
Running Speed
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Able to achieve speeds of 40 miles per hour and leaps that can exceed 10 feet, the jackrabbit can outrun and out-jump most of the animals that try to chase it. Their sprinting speed and zig-zagging style of running make the jackrabbit a difficult catch for its natural predators.
Diet
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Hares are strictly vegetarian. They eat fresh grass, herbs, shrubs and cacti. Since water is a rare commodity in many of the areas they inhabit, the jackrabbit acquires needed water from the plants it eats. Species that have adapted to living alongside humans can do serious damage to a farmer's crops. With each jackrabbit eating half a pound to a pound of vegetation each day, significant damage is certain when the jackrabbit population is high.
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References
- Photo Credit rabbit on the grass image by Piter Pkruger from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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this doesn't tell you how they catch thier food and water.
