Types of Rabbits in Wyoming
Wyoming is home to several rabbit species, most commonly the desert cottontail and black-tailed jackrabbit. This guide covers the main types you're likely to encounter, how to tell them apart, and the best spots to see them across the state.
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Wyoming is home to several rabbit species, most commonly the desert cottontail and black-tailed jackrabbit. This guide covers the main types you're likely to encounter, how to tell them apart, and the best spots to see them across the state.
1. What are the most common rabbit species in Wyoming?
Wyoming hosts two main rabbit groups: cottontails and jackrabbits (which are actually hares). The most widespread is the **desert cottontail** (*Sylvilagus audubonii*), found in arid scrublands across the state. You'll also see **mountain cottontails** (*Sylvilagus nuttallii*) in higher elevations, and the **black-tailed jackrabbit** (*Lepus californicus*) dominates the sagebrush plains. The **white-tailed jackrabbit** (*Lepus townsendii*) appears in northern Wyoming and the Bighorn Basin, especially at higher altitudes.
See ourRabbits guidefor the next step.
2. How can you tell apart cottontails from jackrabbits in Wyoming?
Size is your quickest clue. Jackrabbits are larger (up to 24 inches long) with very long ears and powerful hind legs built for speed. Cottontails are smaller (12–15 inches), with shorter ears and a fluffy white tail. In Wyoming, jackrabbits have black ear tips (black-tailed) or all-white tails (white-tailed). Cottontails lack black markings and have a more rounded body. When startled, jackrabbits sprint away at 40+ mph, while cottontails dart for the nearest cover.
3. Where and when are you most likely to see each type of rabbit in Wyoming?
**Desert cottontails** thrive in low-elevation deserts and grasslands around Rock Springs, Rawlins, and the Red Desert. Look for them at dawn and dusk near rabbitbrush and sage. **Mountain cottontails** stick to pine forests and rocky slopes in the Medicine Bow and Bighorn ranges, often active mid-morning. **Black-tailed jackrabbits** are common along roadsides in the southern and central basins, especially after rain when green shoots emerge. **White-tailed jackrabbits** prefer open meadows and alpine tundra above 8,000 feet; your best odds are in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks during summer.
See ourRabbits typesfor the next step.
4. What are the key identification features for Wyoming rabbits?
Focus on ear length and tail color. **Desert cottontail**: ears 3–4 inches, grayish-brown body, white tail. **Mountain cottontail**: slightly smaller, ears 2.5–3 inches, buffy belly. **Black-tailed jackrabbit**: very long ears (6–8 inches) with black tips, black stripe on top of tail. **White-tailed jackrabbit**: white tail (no black), ears with white edges, body turns white in winter. In summer both jackrabbits are brown, but the white-tailed jackrabbit has a distinctive white underside.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
5. Do rabbits in Wyoming change color in winter?
Only the **white-tailed jackrabbit** molts to a white winter coat, perfectly camouflaged against snow. The other Wyoming rabbits (desert cottontail, mountain cottontail, black-tailed jackrabbit) stay brown year-round. If you see a white rabbit in the snow, it's almost certainly a white-tailed jackrabbit, not an albino. In southwest Wyoming, occasional snowshoe hares appear but are rare at lower elevations.
6. What is the rarest rabbit species in Wyoming?
The **pygmy rabbit** (*Brachylagus idahoensis*) is the smallest rabbit in North America and occurs only in the Green River Basin and parts of the Red Desert. It's listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Wyoming. Look for small (11–13 inch) gray rabbits in dense sagebrush stands, especially near Kemmerer and Farson. Their pellets are noticeably smaller than cottontail droppings.