Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Lepus
Species: californicus

Black-tailed jackrabbit

Range and Distribution

Reproduction

Habitat

Human/Economic Values

Current Management Status

Literature Cited

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Author: Thomas Peebles IV

Site created by: Rachael McCormick

Site Maintained by: Dr. Mark Wallace

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Female jackrabbits produce 3-4 litters per year consisting of 1-8 (usually four) young per litter (Cabrera 2000; Clark 1987). Breeding begins in late winter to early spring (Clark 1987). The season extends through September in Arizona and late January to August in Kansas (Ballenger 2000). Black-tailed jackrabbits in Arizona, have two peaks of reproduction which seem to coincide with the two rainy periods (Robinson 1989). Gestation is 41-47 days per litter (Ballenger 2000). Young are precocial and able to move around within a few hours (Clark 1987).

The nest is made in depressions on the ground and lined with fur. Young are weaned in 2-4 weeks. They disperse and are on their own at only one month of age (Clark 1987). The jackrabbit reaches adult size at about two months of age, but breeding is delayed until the following spring (Clark 1987).