Jackrabbits can bite, but encounters leading to a bite are uncommon. These animals are generally solitary and non-aggressive, reserving biting almost entirely for self-defense. Despite their name, jackrabbits are technically hares (genus Lepus), not true rabbits. This distinction confirms they are purely wild animals with an instinctual fear of humans.
The Context of a Bite
A jackrabbit’s natural instinct is to flee danger, making them classic flight animals. They only resort to biting when they perceive escape is impossible and are facing a direct threat. This defensive behavior is typically triggered when a jackrabbit is cornered, injured, or actively handled by a person.
Bites often occur when a person attempts to pick up or pet the wild animal, mistaking it for a domesticated pet. A jackrabbit may also bite if it is protecting its young or if it is injured and being moved by a rescuer. The bite is a final, panicked response to an inescapable situation.
Health Risks Associated with Bites
The primary health concern from a jackrabbit bite is the potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, particularly Tularemia. Jackrabbits and hares are significant natural carriers of the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Transmission can occur through a bite, though it is more common through contact with the infected animal’s blood, tissues, or the bite of an infected tick.
Symptoms of Tularemia often appear three to five days after exposure, presenting as a sudden fever, chills, and swollen lymph glands. If the bacteria entered through the skin, a painful ulcer often develops at the bite site. Any wild animal bite carries a risk of bacterial skin infection from the animal’s oral flora, and although extremely uncommon, a risk of Rabies transmission.
If a bite breaks the skin, immediately wash the wound with soap and warm water. After cleaning, apply an antiseptic and cover the wound with a clean bandage. Medical attention should be sought promptly for professional wound assessment and to discuss the risk of Tularemia exposure, especially if the jackrabbit appeared ill or deceased.
Avoiding Encounters and Bites
Respect the animal’s wild nature by maintaining a safe distance to prevent a jackrabbit bite. Never attempt to approach, handle, or pet a jackrabbit, even if it appears calm or docile. Since they are prone to panic when confined, avoiding physical contact removes the primary trigger for a defensive bite.
Keep domestic pets, such as dogs, away from jackrabbits to prevent conflicts that could result in bites. Never approach a jackrabbit that appears visibly sick, lethargic, or disoriented, as these are signs of illness that increase the risk of disease transmission. Observation should always occur from a distance, allowing the hare to move freely and unthreatened.