Whether on a desert trail or a manicured golf course, Arizona's climate breeds fertile habitat for rabbits. Often they are the most abundant wildlife an outdoor enthusiast sees on his adventure. Especially in a landscaped neighborhood, the most common native species is the desert cottontail. I've been easily able to photograph this rabbit in various terrains, in multiple poses and with different lighting effects.
Less common is the jack rabbit, technically a hare but sharing the same taxonomic family with rabbits. He can be five times the size of the desert cottontail, offering an impressive site when encountered in the wild. I've caught a few glimpses of him along hiking trails, but have unfortunately managed only one single photograph of this large mammal.
He's much faster and stronger than a rabbit so he's better able to outrun his many predators. As a result, one variety in the desert is called the antelope jack rabbit, aptly named after the fastest of all land animals. The other species calling the arid Southwest home is the black-tailed jack rabbit, slightly smaller than the antelope and with black-tipped tail and ears.
While the numerous desert cottontails seem to almost pose for pictures, the jack rabbit is a much warier subject. As a result, it seems the hare is also the less likely meal for hungry coyotes, bobcats and owls.
Less common is the jack rabbit, technically a hare but sharing the same taxonomic family with rabbits. He can be five times the size of the desert cottontail, offering an impressive site when encountered in the wild. I've caught a few glimpses of him along hiking trails, but have unfortunately managed only one single photograph of this large mammal.
He's much faster and stronger than a rabbit so he's better able to outrun his many predators. As a result, one variety in the desert is called the antelope jack rabbit, aptly named after the fastest of all land animals. The other species calling the arid Southwest home is the black-tailed jack rabbit, slightly smaller than the antelope and with black-tipped tail and ears.
While the numerous desert cottontails seem to almost pose for pictures, the jack rabbit is a much warier subject. As a result, it seems the hare is also the less likely meal for hungry coyotes, bobcats and owls.
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| Antelope jack rabbit, Phoenix. |
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| Desert cottontail, Scottsdale. |
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| Desert cottontail, Scottsdale. |
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| Desert cottontail, Gilbert. |
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