One of the most striking and unusual hares in North America, known for its bold black-and-white patterning and its graceful, high-speed leaps across the open grasslands of Mexico and parts of New Mexico. Unlike the more uniformly colored jackrabbits, this species is instantly recognizable thanks to the large, white patches along its flanks that flash brightly when it runs—almost like built-in warning signals.

Physically, the white-sided jackrabbit is a large hare. Its long ears, typical of jackrabbits, are used to detect predators and cool down in hot, dry climates. Its coat is generally grayish-brown, but the brilliant white sides and belly sharply contrast with the darker upper body. When it bounds away from threats, these white patches become especially visible, making it one of the most visually distinctive hares in the world.

This jackrabbit is a grassland specialist, living mainly in high-elevation plains and meadows where grasses and low vegetation dominate. Unlike some jackrabbits that tolerate scrubby or desert conditions, the white-sided jackrabbit prefers more open, grassy habitats, unfortunately making it vulnerable to habitat loss from farming and grazing. It is mostly nocturnal, foraging at night on grasses and herbs, and resting during the day in shallow depressions called “forms,” where its mottled fur provides camouflage against the ground.

Behaviorally, the white-sided jackrabbit has some unique quirks. While most jackrabbits are solitary, this species is sometimes seen in pairs—a rare trait among hares. Its escape strategy is also distinctive: rather than bolting in a straight line, it uses spectacular bounding leaps, sometimes clearing several meters in a single bound, flashing its white sides like a strobe as it zigzags away from coyotes, eagles, or human hunters. These jumps not only confuse predators but also showcase the hare’s athleticism in the wide-open landscapes it inhabits.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Mexico

2018

United States

2018