Black-tailed Jackrabbit

desert · super fast · North America · wild rabbits

Huge ears for cooling. Black-tailed jackrabbits have enormous ears that look almost comically big on their heads. These giant ears work like radiators to help the rabbit cool down in the hot desert sun.

Born ready to run. Baby jackrabbits are born with their fur, open eyes, and the ability to move within minutes. They don't need their mom to stay with them because they're basically independent from day one.

Desert dwellers everywhere. These hares live across the western United States and Mexico, from sea level all the way up to mountains 10,000 feet high. They like mixed areas with shrubs and grass where they can hide and find food.

One of the biggest hares. Black-tailed jackrabbits can grow to about 2 feet long and weigh between 3 and 6 pounds, making them one of North America's largest hares. They're built lean and lanky for speed, not size.

Lots of babies in warm places. A mother jackrabbit typically has around four babies at a time, but in warm regions where it stays hot year-round, she might have as many as seven. She can have litters almost continuously in warm climates.