Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) is in the Hares and Rabbits family (Leporidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 20,530 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Black-tailed Jackrabbit: observations by month (U.S.)
About Black-tailed Jackrabbit
The black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), also known as the American desert hare, is a common hare of the western United States and Mexico, where it is found at elevations from sea level up to 10,000 ft (3,000 m). Reaching a length around 2 ft (61 cm), and a weight from 3 to 6 lb (1.4 to 2.7 kg), the black-tailed jackrabbit is the third-largest North American hare. Black-tailed jackrabbits occupy mixed shrub-grassland terrains. Their breeding depends on the location; it typically peaks...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 11,913 | April | Jan–Oct |
| Texas | 3,272 | May | Mar–Sep |
| Arizona | 2,015 | May | Jan–Sep |
| New Mexico | 915 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Nevada | 708 | June | Mar–Oct |
| Utah | 534 | June | Mar–Oct |
| Oregon | 451 | May | Apr–Sep |
| Colorado | 389 | June | May–Aug |
| Oklahoma | 105 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Idaho | 85 | June | May–Aug |
| Kansas | 65 | May | May–Jul |
| Washington | 41 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Nebraska | 20 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Wyoming | 17 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Hares and Rabbits)
Eastern Cottontail
Desert Cottontail
Marsh Rabbit
Brush Rabbit
Snowshoe Hare
Swamp Rabbit
Mountain Cottontail
White-tailed Jackrabbit
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Black-tailed Jackrabbit?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from January to September.
Where is Black-tailed Jackrabbit most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Arizona.