Jackrabbits are not true rabbits, but are hares. Their young are born well furred with their eyes open. Young jackrabbits usually leave the nest within a day after they are born. Cottontails are best distinguished by their fluffy white tail, while jackrabbits are noted for their remarkably large ears. Cottontails average 2 to 4 pounds compared to 3 to 8 pounds for jackrabbits.
Cottontails typically prefer to live in areas with woody and dense vegetation.
They seek shelter in brush piles, holes in the ground, or even holes under buildings. Jackrabbits prefer areas that are more open such as rangeland, relying on their speed to outrun predators. Both cottontails and jackrabbits breed from February through August. The gestation period is about 28 days for cottontails and 43 days for jackrabbits. Litter sizes average three to five in both.