PHOTO
BY
JUSTIN
HAAG
A Mammal Brief
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
By Lindsay Rogers, Outdoor
Education Specialist
With their characteristic large
back legs, it should come as no
surprise that the black-tailed
jackrabbit is an excellent jumper.
They are able to leap nearly 20 feet
in one bound and can reach speeds of
30-35 miles per hour. They live in
hot, arid areas primarily in the
southwestern United States.
In Nebraska, they can be found across
the state, but are more common in
central and western areas. To cope with
the extreme heat, they often lower their
metabolism, take shelter in the shade
and become active during the cooler
temperature at night. They have blood
vesicles near the surface of their large
ears to help with cooling. Jackrabbits feed
entirely on plants and rely on their food
for most of their water consumption. ■
6 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2015
