How to identify it
Very large jackrabbit with especially large head and tall ears (average 162 mm), mostly bare apart from white fringes on edges and tips. [1][2]
Where it lives
Arid grassy areas with scattered large shrubs, desert with little grass, foothills, mesas and bajadas; less common in barren desert and valley-bottom mesquite. [1][2]
How it behaves
Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, also active in the morning; rests in shade by day in forms under grass, brush, cactus or mesquite. [1][2]
May travel up to about a mile between daytime cover and nocturnal feeding area; fast runner with great leaping ability. [1][2]
Eats grasses, mesquite, cacti and other desert plants; relies on mesquite leaves and cacti in the dry season and grass in the wet season. [1][2]
NatureServe says it may form groups up to 25; Animal Diversity Web calls it solitary. [1][2]
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Where legal take is listed
- Arizona — hunting · 2026-2027 Arizona Hunting Regulations
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
Southern Arizona through western Mexico to northern Nayarit, and Tiburon Island; sea level to about 1,500 m in Arizona.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
- BIOLOGICALNatureServe Explorer taxon record
NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30
NatureServe
- BIOLOGICALAnimal Diversity Web species account
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology · reviewed 2026-09-30
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology