Family: Leporidae, Hares and Rabbits view all from this family

Description Grayish brown above; lower sides largely white. Face, throat, and ears brownish. Tail black above. Very long ears with pale tips. L 22–26" (553–670 mm); T 1 7/8–3" (48–76 mm); HF 5–5 7/8" (127–150 mm); E 6–8" (152–203 mm); Wt of 3 animals ranged from 6 1/2 to 9 1/2 lb (3–4.3 kg).

Similar Species White-sided Jackrabbit has shorter ears.

Breeding 3 or 4 litters per year, each of 1–5 young, born after gestation of 6 weeks.

Habitat Variety of habitats: mostly grassy slopes at moderate elevations; also deserts with little grass.

Range South-central Arizona.

Discussion The Antelope Jackrabbit, named for its ability to make enormous leaps, can "flash" its white sides as it runs, moving the white fur higher or lower at will. Flashing white at one spot, it comes to rest elsewhere with brown showing. This presumably confuses a predator, which heads for the last glimpse of white. The long ears play an important role in regulating body temperature: In hot weather, they stand erect, and their dilated blood vessels give off heat, thus cooling the jack; in cold weather, the ears lie back close to the body, and blood vessels constrict to maintain body warmth. Despite this adaptation, in the hottest part of the day the Antelope Jackrabbit avoids direct exposure to the sun and rests under the shade of plants in a form, which it may make simply by backing into vegetation. In the form, the hare is in full view on three sides but concealed from above and protected from the sun. The ears are laid back when the animal is at rest, but erect when it is alarmed. This species feeds on various coarse grasses, mesquite, prickly pear, cat’s-claw, and other desert vegetation. When feeding on mesquite (Prosopis) it will stand on its hindfeet, or even its toes, to reach the desired leaves, bark, or buds, especially the green leaves growing in the plant’s axils. The animal may hold its front feet limp or may support itself on the mesquite branch. There is no evidence that this species needs free water (water other than from its food). In this species, as with all hares, the young are born fully haired, with eyes open, and able to hop. The young apparently scatter at birth, but the mother returns to the area at night, and the young gather to feed. Predators of the Antelope Jackrabbit include the Bobcat, Coyote, and golden eagle.