Blacktailed Jack Rabbit Habits

The black-tailed jackrabbit is the most plentiful of the jackrabbit species, notes the "National Audubon Society Filed Guide to Mammals." This hare lives throughout most of the western United States, displaying a number of behaviors related to its survival.

  1. Eluding Danger

    • When the black-tailed jackrabbit feels threatened, it has a habit of standing quite still, moving only its ears in an effort to detect where danger may be. Once it begins to flee, it uses a very high leap on every fourth or fifth step to get a look at what its enemy is doing. At full speed though, the jackrabbit refrains from high jumps and reaches speeds up to 35 miles an hour.

    Feeding Habits

    • The black-tailed jackrabbit is a somewhat social animal, sometimes forming small groups in which to feed. This habit increases the number of eyes and ears that can spot potential danger while the hare eats such things as grasses, sagebrush, herbs, cacti and forbs.

    Time Frame

    • One habit the black-tailed jackrabbit has in summer is to spend the hottest portions of the day in shade; they will sleep under tall vegetation or under shrubs. In winter, the jackrabbit seeks shelter from blowing winds. Jackrabbits typically look for food at night, hoping to elude predators including owls, eagles, foxes and coyotes.