Habitats & Diets of Jack Rabbits

Being in the hare family, jack rabbits are larger and have longer legs than rabbits. Because of their ears, many people called them jackass rabbits, which was shortened to jack rabbit. There are at least four species of jack rabbits that live in central and western North America. White-tailed and black-tailed jack rabbits are the most common and are found on farmlands, deserts, and open spaces. They can also be found in wooded regions.

  1. Jack Rabbits that Live near Farmland

    • Jack rabbits can consume over a pound of food every day. White-tailed jack rabbits that live on the open plains and near farms eat herbaceous vegetation, which basically consists of anything that is green and leafy, as apposed to woody plants such as trees--although they do eat bark. Most grasses are herbaceous, which includes wheat. Alfalfa is another favorite food of the jack rabbit. Farmers that raise these types of vegetation sometimes have problems with jack rabbits.

    Jack Rabbits that Live in Deserts

    • Black-tailed jack rabbits are the only jack rabbit species found in the desert. In the winter, they feed on the buds of bushes and bark. In warmer months, the black-tailed jack rabbit eats grasses. When the months are dry, it eats cacti, which also provides most of its water needs.

      The Antelope jack rabbit is found on the open plains, as well as in the desert. It is commonly found in Arizona, but has been seen in New Mexico and as far south as northern Mexico. It eats grasses in the summer, as well as cacti and mesquite when the season is dry. This jack rabbit drinks very little water, and like the Black-tailed, gets most of its water supply from the plants and cacti that it eats.

    Jack Rabbits that Live in Grasslands

    • The Whitesided jack rabbit is almost endangered. Although it has not been put under federal protection, it is listed as endangered in the state of New Mexico, where most of the Whitesided jack rabbits reside. Drought has caused problems with its habitat. In addition, prevention of wildfires (which naturally keep invasive shrubs in check) has caused shrubs to invade the grasslands which are part of the Whitesided jack rabbit's diet.

    Jack rabbits that Live in Cold Climates

    • The Snowshoe rabbit, although not called a jack rabbit, is in the hare family. The species is named for its large feet which are designed for being in snow. Its habitat includes parts of the Rocky Mountains and goes as far north as the edge of the Arctic Ocean. Although white in winter, to blend in with snow, the Snowshoe rabbit changes to brown in the summer months. Its diet consists of grasses, trees, scrubs, and plants.