The snowshoe rabbit makes a nest in a sheltered place, where the young, usually three or four in number, are born. These young, unlike the cottontail, have their eyes open and are covered with a coat of very fine close hair. They leave the nest in about ten days. In some places there may be more than one litter in a year.
General description: Larger than a cottontail with long ears and hind legs. Color of upperparts (summer) buffy grayish brown to rusty brown, underparts and bottoms of feet white; (winter) white, with black-bordered tips of the ears and underparts pale salmon. Total length about 18½ inches.
Varying Hare (Snowshoe Rabbit)
Where found: Likely to be seen almost anywhere in the wooded sections of the park and near the camp and cabin areas. Especially during the early morning and evening. They are generally rather tame.
WHITETAIL JACKRABBIT
Lepus townsendi campanius
This big Prairie Hare is readily distinguishable from the other jackrabbits by its all white tail. It may also be found at higher elevations than the other species of jacks. Normally frequenting the open country it has been seen in alpine meadows above timberline at 10,000 feet elevations. This species is the largest of the jackrabbits.
All of the jackrabbits are known for their speed as they go bounding over the prairie, covering twelve to fifteen feet at a jump. The whitetail is the fastest and best jumper of the lot. When in high-gear speed he is a match for all but the fleetest of greyhounds.
The whitetail jackrabbit makes little if any nest for the young, but like other rabbits, does have several forms scattered about his home range. The form is simply a place just large enough to accommodate his body, padded down and hollowed in a clump of grass, weeds or bushes. Each individual has several of these forms and when not out feeding or playing may usually be found crouched down in one or the other of them. The young are fully furred and have their eyes open when born. They are active but stay hidden close by one spot for the first two or three weeks. There are usually about four to the litter and there probably is more than one litter each year, at least in the warmer sections of their range.
The representatives of this species that live in the northern, colder parts of the country change into a winter coat of white fur each fall and like the snowshoe rabbit are protectively colored when out in the snow. Their large feet also aid them in traveling over the snowdrifts.