white-tailed jackrabbit

LC - Least Concern

N5 - Secure

SNR - Unranked

not listed

Species in Greatest Conservation Need

White-tailed jackrabbit is the largest member of the rabbit or hare family (Leporidae) in Minnesota.

In summer, the fur is brownish-gray above and white or pale gray below. In winter the fur is white or pale gray except for a black patch at the tip of each ear.

The tail is usually white above and below, sometimes mostly white above and white below.

Total length: 22″ to 25″

Head and body: 18″ to 22″

Tail: 2½″ to 4″

Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is much smaller, no more than 19″ in total length including the tail. It does not turn white in winter.

Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) is smaller, no more than 20″ in total length including the tail. The tail is dark above and white below. It inhabits woods, thickets, and coniferous swamps and bogs.

Open grassy areas

They are active at night (nocturnal) and in twilight (crepescular).

5 to 8 years

A large variety of grasses, forbs, and shrubs in summer. Bark and twigs if woody plants and coniferous foliage in winter.

Sources

4, 7, 24, 29, 30, 76.