| Size: | Standard |
| Weight: | 3-9 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 1-1-4 Years |
| Type of body: | Full arch |
| Temperament: | Wild, Suspicious, Energetic |
| The Best Suited for | Observing them in their natural habitat |
| Similar Breeds | White-Tailed Jackrabbits, Antelope Jackrabbits, Belgian Hare |
Did you know Jackrabbits don’t actually look like rabbits? It’s true! Although they look similar, Jackrabbits come from a different genus to the domesticated rabbits that we know and love.
The Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, more commonly called a hare, is also known as an American Desert Hare. They are abundant in the wilds of the Southwest United States and Mexico and have lived here since the beginning of the human settlement.
You’re sure to be interested in learning more about this desert-dwelling Rabbit-like. In today’s article, we will explore their history, and origins, and dive into their wild behaviors.
Black-Tailed Jackrabbit Breed History and Origin
This breed is a descendant of the same prehistoric giant Hares that gave rise to the White-Tailed Jackrabbit and Antelope Jackrabbit. It has been a native of the American Southwest for thousands upon thousands of years. They were well-suited to heat and abundance of wild grasses and provided meat and furs to early settlers.
Their name is more recent. Early settlers thought their ears resembled those of donkeys, or “jackasses”, and so they combined the names Jack Rabbit and Antelope Hare. These “American Desert Hares”, which are also Antelope cousins have enjoyed a wider range of habitats than their Antelope counterparts. They can be found as far north as Texas and Northern California.
General Description
The Black-Tailed Jackrabbits are smaller than the Antelope Jackrabbit or White-Tailed Jackrabbit. They rarely weigh more than 6 pounds. Their most distinctive features are their large, black-tipped ears that reach 2 feet and their jet-black tails.
They have strong hips and back muscles that provide endurance and running power, while their large ears aid in heat venting. Because of their adaptations, they are able to outrun predators and avoid heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Habits and Habitat
The Black-Tailed Jackrabbit can run up to 30 mph and jump up to 20 feet. This makes them well-suited to the Southwest’s flat scrublands. They eat a lot of scrub brushes, weeds, and occasionally cactus flowers, so they are able to avoid predators by running in a zig-zag fashion.
They are most active at night and spend the majority of their day lying down in hollows dug with their strong front feet. They can even swim using dog paddling in the midst of a severe drought.
The difference between young and old
Black-Tailed Jackrabbits reproduce year-round, but their mating season is in the spring when they are at their peak activity. Their population grows rapidly with females capable of having anywhere from 2 to 4 litters each year. It’s nearly impossible to estimate how many of these hares live today.
The main difference between rabbits and hares is their state as newborns. While rabbits are completely helpless, newborn hares (like a Black-Tailed Jackrabbit), are born with their eyes open. This allows them to leave their nest earlier and can fend for themselves sooner – an important adaptation for their harsh desert lives.
Last Thoughts on the Black-Tailed Jackrabbit Breed
The Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, while the smallest American Jackrabbit breed, is a handsome and fast animal. Although they are not recommended for pets, it is possible to enjoy them in their natural habitat.
Where can you find blackjack rabbits?
From Baja California and south-central Mexico to the west-central and western United States, they can be found.
Can you eat jackrabbits?
When cooked incorrectly, jackrabbit has the flavor and consistency of shoe leather. That being said, jackrabbit is wonderful if done correctly. The important thing to remember is that, even though it is red meat, it cannot be treated like a steak. You must cook it slowly and for a long time.
Is it possible to eat desert rabbits?
Furthermore, cottontails are delicious to eat. You can braise them, grill them, bake them, and do pretty much anything else with chicken.
Are worms present in jackrabbits?
Rabbits and other tiny animals do host a range of parasites. Some are more frequent in the summer, although many, such as intestinal worms and flukes, are present all year. Intestinal parasites, on the other hand, offer little harm to humans unless a hunter consumes raw rabbit guts.
What is the best way to prepare jackrabbit?
Bring to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 2 to 5 hours, depending on the age of your jackrabbits. When the meat has fallen off the bone, remove it from the saucepan and shred it in a large mixing bowl. Remove the bones. Mix in the fat and a ladle of the cooking liquid with the meat.
Do Jackalopes exist?
Jackalopes are not a separate species of rabbit, but rather cottontails and jackrabbits infected with a rare virus.
Is Cabbit real?
Cabbies are fictitious hybrids of cats and rabbits. They’ve been featured in fiction and fantasy novels, including Japanese anime and manga, and they’ve been rumored to have been spotted in the wild. The majority, if not all, of the observations, are due to misidentified Manx cats or outright fraud.
Is it possible to keep a jackalope as a pet?
While they are uncommon, Jackalopes make excellent family pets. They can be housebroken, taught to fold clothes, and even taught to run the dishwasher!
Is the jackalope still alive?
It is a hybrid between a now-extinct pygmy deer and a killer rabbit species, making it one of the world’s rarest mammals. However, sightings of this unique critter are still common, with tiny pockets of jackalope populations remaining throughout the American West.
What is the highest a black-tailed jackrabbit can jump?
The black-tailed jackrabbit can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and jump up to 20 feet.