White-tailed Jackrabbit - Species Profile
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure SNR - Unranked |
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| Minnesota | not listed Species in Greatest Conservation Need |
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Description
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.
Size
Total length: 22″ to 25″
Head and body: 18″ to 22″
Tail: 2½″ to 4″
Sign
Similar Species
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.
Habitat
Open grassy areas
Ecology
Behavior
They are active at night (nocturnal) and in twilight (crepescular).
Lifespan
5 to 8 years
Life Cycle
Food
A large variety of grasses, forbs, and shrubs in summer. Bark and twigs if woody plants and coniferous foliage in winter.
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 12/3/2025). Hazard, Evan B. 1982. The Mammals of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 280 pp. The counties in light green lack modern records but have historic county or township specimens or records. |
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| 12/20/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Taxonomy
Class
Subclass
Theria
Infraclass
Placentalia (Placental Mammals)
Magnorder
Boreoeutheria
Superorder
Euarchontoglires (Primates, Rodents, and Allies)
Order
Lagomorpha (Rabbits, Hares, and Pikas)
Family
Leporidae (Hares and Rabbits)
Genus
Lepus (Hares and Jackrabbits)
Subordinate Taxa
Eastern White-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii campanius) 
Western White-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii townsendii)
Synonyms
Common Names
White-tailed Jack Rabbit
White-tailed Jackrabbit
