Mammal

White-tailed Jackrabbit

Lepus townsendii
Mammal Near the Big Bend of the Missouri River, South Dakota New to Western Science
White-tailed Jackrabbit

Photo: Adam Lowe, CC BY-SA 3.0

Common Names
Hare of the Prairie
Habitat
Chamberlain, SD
Conservation
Vulnerable
First Observed
1804-09-14
Observed At
Near the Big Bend of the Missouri River, South Dakota

Lewis correctly compared this animal to hares of Europe. Remarking on the white tail left no doubt it was a new species.

In the NPS atlas of species the expedition described

White-tailed jackrabbit

Animal · recorded by Lewis and Clark

Found near Chamberlain, SD. Lewis correctly compared this animal to hares of Europe. Remarking on the white tail left no doubt it was a new species.

Encyclopedia of Life On the atlas map

Source: National Park Service, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Park Atlas.

Recent sightings

Where it’s being seen today

2 research-grade iNaturalist observations between 2024–2024. Most recent: 2024-10-08. Sourced from Terrain360 trail captures, cached locally.

iNaturalist observation 2024-10-08 2024-10-08 iNaturalist observation 2024-09-16 2024-09-16

Journal References

5 journal entries mention White-tailed Jackrabbit

Dec 27 1804
Fort Mandan, North Dakota — Patrick Gass: December 27, 1804
generally very cold; but our hunters were frequently out. One of them killed a beautiful white hare. These animals are said to be plenty. We...
Jan 17 1805
Fort Mandan (winter) — Patrick Gass: January 17, 1805
generally very cold ; but our hunters were frequently out. One of them killed a beautiful white hare. These animals are said to be plenty....
Oct 17 1805
Clark: October 17, 1805
October 17th Thursday 1805 Forks of Columbia This morning after the Luner observations, the old chief came down, and Several men with dogs to Sell...
Sep 18 1806
Missouri River through Kansas-Missouri area — Patrick Gass: September 18, 1806
took our leave of him and proceeded on. In a short time, passed the mouth of the river Grand, and soon after over- took the...
Sep 20 1806
La Charette - first settlement, citizens cheer — Patrick Gass: September 20, 1806
Swans, 166, 168-171 Swell, Cape, 171, 172 Sycamore, 5 T Tabo creek, 8 Tansy river, see Rose river Tarico creek, 12 Tavern cove, 3 Tavern...

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