White-tailed Jackrabbit – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Photo Credit: Tom Koerner, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Overview

Species Common Name White-tailed Jackrabbit
Species Scientific Name Lepus townsendii
State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.

Special needs

White-tailed jackrabbits are found in bunchgrass grasslands.

Limiting factors

Loss and degradation of preferred grassland habitat, including shrub encroachment, are the main reasons for population declines.

Data gaps

Assess abundance, distribution, and trends. Improve understanding of jackrabbit ecology, including habitat associations and selection. Develop methods to census this nocturnal species.

Conservation actions

Investigate species-specific habitat requirements and use these to guide management actions.