The animal commonly known as the jackrabbit is actually a species of hare belonging to the genus Lepus. Unlike true rabbits, their young are born fully furred and with their eyes open, capable of movement shortly after birth. Jackrabbits are recognizable by their exceptionally long, erect ears and powerful hind legs built for speed. These physical traits allow them to thrive in open, exposed environments throughout their range.
Overall North American Range
Jackrabbits are exclusively native to North America. Their range primarily encompasses the Western and Central United States, covering the states west of the Mississippi River and extending from the Pacific Coast eastward into the Great Plains.
The distribution reaches north into southern Canada and extends south into Mexico. The animals inhabit a wide variety of ecosystems, from high-altitude plateaus to low-lying deserts. Their presence is a defining feature of the American West and the northern portions of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts.
Preferred Terrain and Habitat
Jackrabbits are creatures of open country, preferring terrain where they have clear lines of sight to detect predators. They are commonly found in arid and semi-arid environments, including scrub brush, grasslands, and sagebrush flats. They rely on speed and visibility as their primary defense mechanism, generally avoiding dense forests or areas with thick undergrowth.
Their large ears serve a dual purpose, enhancing their hearing and acting as radiators to help regulate body temperature in extremely warm climates. They seek refuge during the hottest part of the day in a shallow depression in the ground, often scraped out beneath a bush, which is called a form.
Major Species and Specific Locations
The location of a jackrabbit depends on the species, as each has adapted to a different ecological niche. The Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) is the most abundant and widely distributed species. It is found throughout the Western United States, from Washington and California east to Missouri, and south into central Mexico, dominating arid lowland and desert scrub environments.
The White-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) occupies the cooler, northern portions of the range and higher elevations. This species is common across the Great Plains states, including Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming, and into parts of central Canada, favoring open grasslands and alpine meadows.
The Antelope Jackrabbit (Lepus alleni) has the most restricted distribution, confined primarily to Southern Arizona and the northwestern Mexican states of Sonora and Sinaloa. This species is often found on grassy slopes with desert shrubs in areas that receive more summer precipitation than the drier habitats of the black-tailed jackrabbit.