White-sided Jackrabbit
Lepus callotis
- Class
- Mammal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 82
- Most observed in
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- Conservation
- Vulnerable
Description
The white-sided jackrabbit (Lepus callotis) (Spanish: liebre torda), also known as the Mexican hare, beautiful-eared jackrabbit, Gaillard jackrabbit, or snow sides, is a medium-sized hare native to the United States and Mexico. It has cinnamon, ochre, and black fur on its head and body and notably white-furred sides. The hare is found in a limited range in North America, from southern New Mexico to northwestern and central Mexico. It avoids hilly habitats and is often found in grasslands, with preferred areas being flush in tobosagrass and blue grama, among other grasses the hare uses for food. The hare is also found in savanna and pasture habitats, particularly in the more southerly parts of its distribution. White-sided jackrabbits make shelters out of depressions dug in the earth, known as forms, which is a common behavior among hares. The forms made by the white-sided jackrabbit are somewhat more elaborate than those of other hare species, though, and are often surrounded by dense grasses. This hare is most active during the night and at dusk. While most hares will run immediately upon sensing a predator, this species will often remain still or try to escape through grasses undetected; otherwise, it will make high, long jumps away from a threat, flashing its white sides.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “White-sided jackrabbit”.