Antelope jackrabbit

Not to be confused with Jackalope.

Antelope jackrabbit
File:Antelope jackrabbit 2.JPG
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Lagomorpha
Family:	Leporidae
Genus:	Lepus
Species:	L. alleni
Binomial name
Lepus alleni Mearns, 1890
File:Antelope Jackrabbit area.png
Antelope jackrabbit range

The antelope jackrabbit (Lepus alleni) is a species of North American hare.

Geographic range

The antelope jackrabbit is found in Arizona in the United States and the states of Chihuahua, Nayarit, Sinaloa and Sonora in Mexico.

Habitat

The antelope jackrabbit is found in a variety of habitats. It can be found in grassy hills or plains, preferring habitats with large, moderately open desert shrubs above grass that is growing well. It can also be found in the deserts of the southwest. Jackrabbits are not uncommon in urban areass either, where they have adapted very well to human encroachment upon their habitat.

Description

The antelope jackrabbit is the largest Lepus species. Its body length ranges from 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in) long. Its tail grows to lengths of 3 to 10 cm (1.2 to 3.9 in) long. Its front legs grow from 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) and the back legs can grow from 20 to 30 cm (7.9 to 11.8 in) long. The legs give the antelope jackrabbit its name, after the fast, leaping animals of the plains of Africa called antelopes. The antelope jackrabbit's ears grow to be 2 to 8 in (5.1 to 20.3 cm) when fully grown. The ears of the antelope jackrabbit are not only used to hear, but are also used to reduce and regulate body heat for survival in the hot conditions where they live. Antelope jackrabbits are more active during the evenings when their hot environment cools down.

Subspecies

The two subspecies of this jackrabbit are:

• L. a. alleni
• L. a. tiburonensis

See also

• Jackalope - a fictional cross between an antelope and a jackrabbit

External links

• University of Michigan: Lepus alleni