Rabbits, Hares & Bunnies

Greetings hivers, today i want to talk about rabbits and share some photos I've captured of them. There are always rabbits frolicking around, and if you watch them long enough, you begin to notice some differences in the species. Two distinct species that I see are the jackrabbit and the mountain cottontail (bunny).

The first photos are of a jackrabbit that dropped in for a day or two, probably checking for something good to eat.

Jackrabbits, I notice, have very large eyes that seem to stare you down. They have a no nonsense air about them which i interpret as an all business approach to survival.

https://animals.mom.com/jack-rabbit-vs-cotton-tail-12273694.html

"Jackrabbits are hares, leoprids belonging to the genus Lepus. They are larger than rabbits and were named for their ears which caused people to call them "jackass rabbits," but the name was shortened over time."

...cute tidbit of info on their name haha 😁

This is the same jackrabbit as in the previous photos, in a different area of the yard. He obviously felt that I was not a threat, and I was able to get this great shot! Next pic is enlarged so you can see what I mean about their eyes ...

👀

https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-the-difference-between-a-rabbit-and-a-hare

"Rabbits and hares are different from the moment they are born. Baby rabbits — called kittens or bunnies — are born hairless and blind, totally dependent on their mothers. Baby hares — called leverets — are born with fur and sight, and they can move on their own within an hour of their birth."

Next up is the mountain cottontail ...

The cottontail bunnies are notably smaller and cuter. They seem very docile.

My experiences with the cottontails is that they seem to tolerate humans more easily and the more contact, the more tolerant they are.

This cottontail bunny doesn't usually run off when i am outside unless my cat is out with me too. I have affectionately named him Benny and greet him whenever i see him.

He is always on the lookout for my cat, and gives him a run for his money so to speak. The cat will chase him because cats are hunters, but he is always so close, yet so far away lol

The bunnies keep my cat busy for hours. He loves the chase! I scolded him in the beginning for chasing them. As I watched, I realized he was never going to catch them. They are too fast and too crafty 😁