White-tailed Prairie Hare

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White-tailed Prairie Hare
White-tailed Prairie Hare

Each package comprises a personalized certificate with the recipient's name, an 8 x 10 photo, and qualifies for a tax receipt.

White-tailed Prairie Hare (Lepus townsendii).

Date of admission: May, 2026.

Patient History:

The White-tailed Prairie Hare, often referred to as the “white-tailed jackrabbit,” is a widespread species of hare found across west-central North America. Despite their common nickname, hares are not rabbits. Both are members of the Leporidae family within the order Lagomorpha, but hares are generally larger, more independent at birth, and adapted for life in open habitats. Adult white-tailed prairie hares feed on a diverse seasonal diet that includes grasses, forbs, shrub buds, and the bark of young woody plants, depending on availability throughout the year. Their coat coloration shifts with the seasons and region. In warmer months, they are typically grey-brown with long ears featuring black tips and lighter inner fur. In northern populations, a striking seasonal molt occurs in autumn, transforming their coat to white for winter camouflage, before reversing again in spring.

White-tailed prairie hares are largely solitary animals outside of the breeding season. Breeding activity can begin as early as February and extend into March, depending on environmental conditions, with females capable of producing multiple litters during the summer months. A typical litter consists of 4–5 leverets. Leverets are precocial, born fully furred, with eyes open, and already relatively mobile. At birth, they weigh approximately 100 grams (3.5 ounces). Because they are a prey species, they spend little time in the nest and develop quickly, beginning to explore within one to two weeks and typically weaning by three to four weeks of age. Mothers often space their young apart during the day, leaving them individually camouflaged in vegetation, returning primarily at dusk to nurse them. This strategy reduces detection by predators, as clustered young would be far more vulnerable. It is not uncommon for people to encounter leverets in yards or open spaces; unless there is clear evidence of injury or immediate danger, they are best left undisturbed, as the mother is usually nearby.

At AIWC, we admit leverets for a variety of reasons, most commonly due to suspected orphaning or domestic animal interactions. In 2025, AIWC cared for 124 white-tailed jackrabbits, and as of early 2026, we have already admitted 21 individuals, including our first spring arrivals of the season. These are highly sensitive patients requiring intensive, specialized care. Sponsorship support directly contributes to their formula, nutrition, medical treatment, and rehabilitation, helping ensure they have the best possible chance of returning to Alberta’s wild prairie landscapes.

Please note:

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