Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Imagine a rabbit that's a bit bigger than your pet bunny, with ears so long they look like they could catch a radio signal! That's the black-tailed jackrabbit! These amazing animals are like the sprinters of the desert.

They have long, powerful legs that help them leap away from danger super fast. Their fur is usually a mix of brown and gray, which helps them hide in the dry, dusty places they call home. They are one of the biggest hares in North America, which is pretty cool for a rabbit!

Black-tailed jackrabbits love to live in sunny, dry places like deserts and grasslands. You can find them in the western part of the United States and in Mexico. They don't mind living where it's hot and dry, and they can even live way up high on mountains, almost as high as a very tall skyscraper!

They like areas with lots of bushes and grasses to hide in and munch on. They stay in the same home all year round, even when it gets cold.

These rabbits are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Their favorite snacks include yummy grasses, flowers, and even small twigs and leaves from bushes. In the spring and summer, they love to eat fresh green grasses.

But when fall and winter come, they switch to munching on the tougher parts of bushes. They are like little gardeners, nibbling on all sorts of desert plants to stay full and healthy.

Baby jackrabbits, called leverets, are born ready to go! They have their fur and their eyes are already open. They can hop around within minutes of being born, which is amazing!

Their moms don't stay with them much, but they are super well hidden. Jackrabbits have super-long ears that help them hear danger from far away and also help them stay cool by letting heat escape. WOW!

Their ears can be almost as long as your forearm!