Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Lepus californicus, the Black-tailed Jackrabbit, is a species of hare, not a true rabbit, belonging to the family Leporidae. Adults typically weigh 2-4 kg and measure 50-65 cm in length, distinguished by their long ears and powerful hind legs. Their fur is grizzled gray-brown dorsally with characteristic black-tipped ears and a black stripe extending along the top of their tail. Jackrabbits are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal but can be active during the day, especially in mild weather. They do not burrow but create shallow depressions called 'forms.' Breeding occurs year-round in warmer climates, with 2-6 litters annually of 1-6 young (leverets) after a gestation of 41-47 days. Lifespan is 2-5 years.

Black-tailed jackrabbits are solitary herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses, forbs, and shrubs, but will consume agricultural crops. They are renowned for their speed, reaching up to 60 km/h, and their powerful leaps, used to evade predators. When threatened, they often rely on camouflage and immobility, flushing only when a predator is very close. Communication involves foot thumping and ear movements. Their extensive foraging can lead to significant crop damage in agricultural areas and overgrazing in rangelands. While they do not typically enter structures, their large populations can devastate landscaping and gardens in residential areas bordering open spaces.