MAMMALS

White-tailed Jackrabbit, Lepus townsendii

Family Leporidae (Rabbits, Hares)

Size/Weight: approx. 20" long; approx. 7 lbs.

Range: North-central United States, western mountains

Habitat: Prairies, open sageland, mountains

The white-tailed jackrabbit is a large, lanky hare with relatively long legs and huge ears. The color is gray-brown, paler underneath, with a white tail and black-tipped ears. Northern individuals become white in the winter, while others may undergo a more subtle shift to pale gray-brown. The similar, smaller black-tailed jackrabbit has a dark upper surface to the tail. Jackrabbits are mostly nocturnal and solitary, highly alert, and able to elude predators with exceptionally fast runs and high jumps. They forage on grass and other vegetation, but may be limited to bark and buds in winter.

Track size (front): 2" wide x 3" long

Track size (rear): 2½" wide x 5" long

Description of Track: The rear foot is noticeably larger than the front. There are five toes on the front foot, but only four reliably register. The rear foot has four toes. The claws are short and not evident, especially in snow. Toe pads, metacarpal pads, and heel are reduced and concealed by heavy fur, so the track is indistinct. Both tracks have an overall pointy shape, and the rear foot tends to maintain a long, narrow shape without splaying. While bounding, the front feet usually land one in front of the other, not side by side. A well-used trail may be formed between feeding and resting areas.