You’re walking through your Denver backyard when you spot movement near the bushes—a flash of brown fur and a distinctive white tail disappearing into the shrubs.
Was that a rabbit or a hare? Which species exactly? If you’ve ever wondered about the furry creatures hopping through Denver’s neighborhoods, parks, and open spaces, you’re not alone.
The Mile High City is home to five distinct rabbit and hare species, each with unique characteristics and preferred habitats.
Understanding the differences between these species can help you appreciate the diverse wildlife sharing your outdoor spaces and better manage any garden-related encounters.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a gardener dealing with nibbled plants, or simply curious about your fuzzy neighbors, this guide will help you identify each species you’re likely to encounter in the Denver metro area and beyond.
Rabbits in Denver
1. Desert Cottontail
The Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) thrives in Denver’s lower elevations and drier landscapes. You’ll recognize this rabbit by its grayish-brown coat with a distinctive yellowish-buff tinge that helps it blend into arid surroundings. This species typically measures 14-17 inches in length and weighs between 1.5 and 2.6 pounds, making it one of the smaller cottontails in the region.
Look for Desert cottontails in prairie dog towns, sagebrush flats, and scrubby areas below 7,000 feet throughout Denver’s eastern plains and southwestern areas. They prefer more arid conditions compared to their cottontail cousins. During hot summer days, you’ll often spot them seeking shade under bushes or in burrows during midday heat, becoming most active during the cooler dawn and dusk hours.
Key Insight: Desert cottontails have adapted remarkably well to urban environments, and you might spot them in areas with sparse vegetation that other rabbits would avoid.
Their diet consists primarily of grasses, cacti, mesquite, and various desert plants. Unlike other cottontails, Desert cottontails are particularly fond of prickly pear cactus pads. In residential areas, they’ll readily munch on ornamental plants, especially succulents and drought-tolerant landscaping.
The breeding season extends from February through September, with females producing 2-4 litters annually. Each litter contains 2-5 young that are born blind and helpless in shallow nests lined with grass and fur.
2. White-tailed Jackrabbit
Don’t let the name fool you—the White-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) isn’t actually a rabbit at all, but a hare. This distinction matters because hares are born fully furred with their eyes open, while rabbits are born blind and hairless. White-tailed jackrabbits are the largest lagomorphs you’ll encounter in the Denver area, weighing 6-10 pounds and measuring 22-26 inches long.
These impressive creatures are easily identified by their enormous ears (4-6 inches long) and powerful hind legs built for speed. In summer, their coat is grayish-brown with white underparts, but during winter months, they transform into a nearly pure white coat—a remarkable adaptation that provides camouflage in snow-covered landscapes. The tail remains white year-round, which gives this species its common name.
You’ll find White-tailed jackrabbits in open plains, high-altitude meadows, and sagebrush country surrounding Denver, particularly in areas above 6,000 feet. They prefer wide-open spaces where they can spot predators from a distance and utilize their incredible speed—they can reach 40 miles per hour when fleeing danger.
Pro Tip: If you spot a large rabbit-like creature in an open field that appears to be standing on its hind legs scanning the horizon, you’re probably looking at a White-tailed jackrabbit checking for predators.
Their diet includes grasses, forbs, sagebrush, and agricultural crops. During winter when food becomes scarce, they’ll strip bark from shrubs and small trees. White-tailed jackrabbits are most active during twilight hours, a behavior pattern known as being crepuscular.
Breeding occurs from late winter through summer, with females producing 1-4 litters of 3-6 young per year. The leverets (baby hares) are precocial, meaning they’re born with fur and open eyes, ready to hop within hours of birth.
3. Eastern Cottontail
The Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is the most common rabbit species you’ll encounter in Denver neighborhoods, parks, and suburban areas. This adaptable species has thrived alongside human development, making it a familiar sight across Jefferson County, Arapahoe County, Denver County, and surrounding areas north of the Palmer Divide.
Eastern cottontails display grayish-brown fur with distinctive reddish-brown patches around their neck and shoulders. They measure approximately 16 inches long and weigh around 2 pounds. Their most recognizable feature is the fluffy white tail that resembles a cotton ball—hence the “cottontail” name. When startled, they flash this bright white tail as they bound away in a zigzag pattern.
These rabbits prefer riparian areas, woodlands along watercourses, brushy lowlands, and farm fields with plenty of cover. In urban settings, they’ve adapted remarkably well to residential yards, especially those with ornamental plantings, dense shrubs, and spaces under porches or decks for shelter.
Common Mistake: Many people assume all rabbits in Denver are the same species, but Eastern cottontails specifically prefer areas with more vegetation and water access compared to their Desert cottontail relatives.
Eastern cottontails are herbivores with a diverse diet including grasses, clover, ornamental flowers, vegetable gardens, tree bark, and twigs. They practice coprophagy—eating their own feces to extract maximum nutrients from their food, particularly important during winter months when food is scarce.
The breeding season extends from early spring to late summer, with females capable of producing 2-7 offspring per litter and an impressive 2-5 litters annually. After a 28-day gestation period, young are born blind and hairless in shallow nests lined with grass and fur. Despite high reproduction rates, Eastern cottontails rarely live beyond one year due to predation and disease.
Recent observations in the Denver metro area have noted population increases, partly attributed to decreased fox populations affected by mange and favorable environmental conditions following snowy winters that create abundant spring vegetation.
4. Mountain Cottontail
The Mountain cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) represents Denver’s high-elevation rabbit specialist. This species inhabits mountainous terrain and northwestern Colorado, typically found above 7,000 feet in elevation. Mountain cottontails are slightly smaller than their Eastern cousins, with grayer fur that lacks the reddish shoulder patches characteristic of Eastern cottontails.
Their compact size (12-15 inches long) and dense fur provide excellent insulation against cold mountain temperatures. The ears are proportionally shorter than other cottontail species, another cold-weather adaptation that reduces heat loss. Look for their grayish coat with subtle white highlights around the eyes and pale gray or white underparts.
Mountain cottontails inhabit sagebrush areas, mountain shrublands, rocky outcroppings with brush cover, and coniferous forest edges. They prefer areas with scattered vegetation that provides both food and shelter, often selecting habitats with a mix of grasses, shrubs, and rock piles for refuge.
These rabbits feed primarily on grasses, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and various mountain wildflowers during summer months. Winter diet shifts to woody browse including twigs, bark, and dried vegetation. They’re most active during early morning and evening hours, spending midday resting in shallow depressions called forms beneath shrubs or rock overhangs.
Key Insight: Mountain cottontails demonstrate remarkable cold tolerance, remaining active throughout winter even when temperatures drop well below freezing—a behavior made possible by their dense fur and efficient metabolism.
Breeding season runs from April through August at higher elevations, shortened compared to lowland species due to harsh mountain conditions. Females produce 2-3 litters annually with 4-6 young per litter. The young develop quickly to survive the brief mountain growing season.
Mountain cottontails face predation from coyotes, bobcats, great horned owls, golden eagles, and weasels. Their primary defense strategy involves freezing motionless when danger approaches, relying on camouflage coloration to avoid detection.
5. Black-tailed Jackrabbit
The Black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) is another true hare species found in Denver’s surrounding regions, particularly in southern and western Colorado’s semi-desert areas. This long-eared speedster is built for hot, arid environments and open country where speed matters more than cover.
Black-tailed jackrabbits are large, measuring 18-25 inches long and weighing 4-8 pounds. Their most distinctive features are enormous black-tipped ears (up to 7 inches long) that serve dual purposes: exceptional hearing for predator detection and remarkable heat dissipation in hot desert conditions. The coat is buff-gray to sandy brown on top with white or cream underparts. Unlike the White-tailed jackrabbit, this species maintains the same coloration year-round.
The namesake black tail is visible both on top and underneath, distinguishing it immediately from the White-tailed jackrabbit. When running, Black-tailed jackrabbits can reach speeds of 35-40 miles per hour and leap distances of 15-20 feet in a single bound.
You’ll encounter Black-tailed jackrabbits in semi-desert scrublands, grasslands with sparse vegetation, agricultural areas, and open sagebrush country primarily below 6,000 feet elevation. They prefer areas with less snow cover compared to White-tailed jackrabbits and thrive in habitats too exposed for cottontails.
Pro Tip: Watch for Black-tailed jackrabbits during the hottest parts of summer days lying in the shade with their enormous ears extended to maximize heat loss—a fascinating behavioral adaptation to Colorado’s intense sun.
Their diet includes grasses, mesquite, cacti, various forbs and shrubs, and agricultural crops when available. During drought conditions, they can survive on moisture obtained entirely from the plants they consume. They feed primarily during cooler evening and nighttime hours to avoid daytime heat.
Breeding occurs nearly year-round in favorable conditions, though peak season runs from late winter through summer. Females produce 1-4 litters annually with 1-8 leverets per litter. Like all hares, the young are born fully furred with open eyes and can hop within minutes of birth.
Black-tailed jackrabbits serve as important prey for coyotes, foxes, bobcats, eagles, and hawks. When threatened, they rely on their incredible speed and erratic running pattern, often making sharp turns and leaps to confuse pursuing predators.
Identifying Rabbits vs. Hares in Denver
Understanding the fundamental differences between rabbits (cottontails) and hares (jackrabbits) enhances your wildlife observation skills. These distinctions go far beyond simple size differences.
Physical Differences
| Feature | Rabbits (Cottontails) | Hares (Jackrabbits) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller (12-17 inches, 1.5-3 lbs) | Larger (18-26 inches, 4-10 lbs) |
| Ears | Shorter, proportional ears | Enormous ears (4-7 inches) |
| Hind Legs | Moderate length | Very long, powerful legs |
| Tail | Short, fluffy, cotton-like | Longer, more visible tail |
| Seasonal Color | Same year-round | White-tailed changes to white in winter |
Behavioral Differences
Cottontails prefer brushy habitats with plenty of cover and create shallow nests called forms in vegetation. When threatened, they freeze initially and then flee in short, zigzag bursts to nearby cover. These rabbits are highly territorial and generally solitary except during breeding season.
Jackrabbits, conversely, prefer open terrain where they can spot danger from afar. Rather than hiding, they rely on speed and stamina to outrun predators across long distances. They’re more tolerant of other jackrabbits and can sometimes be observed in loose groups, especially while feeding.
Birth and Development
The most significant biological difference lies in reproduction. Rabbit babies are born altricial—blind, hairless, and completely helpless. Mother rabbits create fur-lined nests and nurse their young until they’re developed enough to venture out at about three weeks old.
Hare babies are born precocial—fully furred, eyes open, and capable of hopping within hours. This allows them to survive in exposed habitats where elaborate nests would be impractical. Mother hares nurse their leverets only briefly before the young become independent.
Important Note: If you find baby cottontails that appear abandoned, they likely aren’t. Mother rabbits only visit the nest briefly at dawn and dusk to nurse, spending the rest of their time away to avoid attracting predators. Unless the babies are injured or clearly in danger, leave them alone.
Living with Denver’s Rabbits
Denver’s rabbit populations have thrived in recent years, prompting many residents to seek effective coexistence strategies. Understanding rabbit behavior and habitat preferences helps you manage their presence whether you’re a gardener protecting plants or a wildlife enthusiast encouraging their visits.
Garden Protection Strategies
Physical barriers provide the most reliable protection for ornamental plants and vegetables. Install chicken wire or hardware cloth fencing buried 6 inches deep and extending 24-30 inches above ground. Rabbits can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so ensure mesh holes are smaller than 1 inch.
Individual plant guards work well for young trees and valuable shrubs. Create cylinders from hardware cloth or rigid plastic tubes, burying the bottom edge and making guards tall enough to prevent winter snow platform access—when deep snow covers the ground, rabbits can reach higher branches.
Landscape modifications reduce rabbit appeal naturally. Remove brush piles, trim overgrown shrubs that provide hiding spots, and eliminate spaces under porches and decks where rabbits nest. Raise ground-level bird baths and water features that might attract them.
Plant selection matters significantly. Rabbits avoid aromatic herbs (rosemary, lavender, sage), plants with thick or fuzzy leaves (lamb’s ear, yarrow), and certain ornamentals like daffodils, iris, foxglove, and red-hot poker. However, hungry rabbits will eat almost anything during harsh winters, so no plant is completely rabbit-proof.
Repellent Options
Organic repellents require persistence and regular reapplication but can provide moderate protection. Products containing capsaicin (pepper extract), castor oil, ammonium salts, or predator urine create unpleasant sensory experiences for rabbits. Apply to a height of 3 feet and reapply after rain or irrigation.
A homemade spray combines one chopped onion, one chopped jalapeño pepper, and one tablespoon cayenne pepper boiled in two quarts of water for 20 minutes. After cooling and straining, apply with a spray bottle every 3-5 days.
Common Mistake: Ammonia is frequently recommended for rabbit deterrence, but research shows it’s largely ineffective. The egg-based spray mentioned above provides better results.
Natural Predator Encouragement
Supporting natural predators helps maintain balanced rabbit populations. Foxes, coyotes, hawks, and owls all prey on rabbits. Install owl boxes to encourage raptor populations, and avoid removing brush piles and natural areas that support diverse wildlife communities. Keep domestic cats and dogs outdoors during dawn and dusk when rabbits are most active—though consider that free-roaming pets can negatively impact other wildlife species.
Relocation and Hunting
Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations permit rabbit trapping and relocation with advance notification. Relocation sites must be appropriate habitat with landowner permission and within 10 miles of the capture site. However, relocated rabbits often struggle to establish territories, and new rabbits typically move into vacated areas quickly.
Hunting provides population management from October 1 through the end of February statewide. The daily bag limit is 10 per species (cottontails, snowshoe hares, and jackrabbits). A small game license is required, and hunters must follow all CPW regulations.
Disease Awareness
Rabbits can carry diseases transmissible to humans and pets, including Tularemia (also called rabbit fever) and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever transmitted through ticks. The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus causes horn-like growths but affects only rabbits and hares, posing no risk to humans or pets.
Always wear gloves when handling wild rabbits or cleaning areas where they’ve nested. Keep domestic rabbits housed indoors to prevent disease transmission from wild populations. If you observe rabbits with obvious illness signs (disorientation, lack of fear, unusual growths interfering with eating), contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife rather than attempting to handle or euthanize the animal yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Denver has experienced rabbit population increases due to several factors, including reduced fox populations affected by mange, favorable weather conditions creating abundant vegetation, and continued urban development providing ideal edge habitat that rabbits prefer.
Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active during dawn and dusk hours. Plan your wildlife watching during early morning or late afternoon for the best viewing opportunities.
No, rabbits and hares remain active throughout winter. They adapt by growing thicker fur coats and shifting their diet to woody browse, bark, and dried vegetation when grasses are unavailable.
Eastern cottontails prefer areas with more vegetation, water access, and brushy cover, while Desert cottontails tolerate drier, more open conditions. Eastern cottontails have reddish-brown patches on their shoulders, whereas Desert cottontails display more yellowish-buff coloration overall.
Jackrabbits are not aggressive and will flee rather than confront threats. However, they can defend themselves if cornered, using powerful hind legs to kick. Keep dogs on leashes during walks to prevent chase behavior that could stress wildlife or result in injury to your pet.
Mother rabbits only visit nests briefly at dawn and dusk to nurse, so babies that appear abandoned usually aren’t. Unless injured or clearly in danger (such as threatened by pets), leave them alone. If you’re uncertain, contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
Understanding the five rabbit species found in Denver enriches your appreciation for Colorado’s diverse urban wildlife. Whether you’re identifying the Eastern cottontail raiding your lettuce, spotting a White-tailed jackrabbit in mountain meadows, or observing a Desert cottontail in your neighborhood park, each species plays an important role in local ecosystems.
By learning their unique characteristics, preferred habitats, and behaviors, you can better coexist with these fascinating creatures while protecting your garden and enjoying the natural world right in your backyard.
