Mammal
White-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus townsendiiAlso known as Prairie Hare, White Jack
White-tailed jackrabbits are powerful, long-legged hares adapted to the vast open plains and sagebrush basins of North America. In northern parts of their range, their coat undergoes a dramatic seasonal shift, turning nearly pure white in winter to blend into snow-covered landscapes. Extremely fast runners, they can leap up to 5 meters in a single bound and reach speeds exceeding 50 km/h to evade predators.
SolitaryFast RunnerGrassland
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrasses, leaves, herbs, and woody shrubs in winter
Predators
- Coyote
- Golden Eagle
- Great Horned Owl
ThreatsAgricultural expansion, habitat conversion, and road mortality
HabitatsPrairies, sagebrush steppe, grassy meadows, and open fields
Life span3–8 years
Classification
- OrderLagomorpha
- FamilyLeporidae
- GenusLepus
- SpeciesLepus townsendii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of scratching or biting if handled; keep a safe distance and do not corner.
Responsible observation
- Spotting Cues: Look for large black-tipped ears scanning open fields at dusk or dawn.
- Safe Viewing: Observe from a vehicle or keep distance to avoid flushing them from forms.
Ecological Neighbor (c) ayden, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by ayden · cc-by
Close Relative Chuck Homler d/b/a Focus On Wildlife / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Lepus_americanus_5459.JPG: Walter Siegmund (talk) derivative work: Wsiegmund / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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Mystic Meadows
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