Surrogate Parenting of the Black–tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) with Species Specific Considerations

Regina Whitman

doi:10.53607/wrb.v26.140

Authors

Regina Whitman Desert Cry Wildlife, Inc.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v26.140

Abstract

This paper is offered as an alternative perspective to the recently published article Surrogate Parenting and Development Stages of Newborn Western Cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) and a Black–tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) Nursed by a Western Desert Cottontail (Thome and Scott 2006). The article suggests that captive care and release standards for black–tailed jackrabbits (jacks [Lepus californicus]) are the same as western desert cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) simply because a cottontail was the nursing surrogate to the jackrabbit. This article will provide previously published information on the importance of captive rearing of jackrabbits in accordance with their species specific needs and natural history, as well as reinforce the proper protocol for their rehabilitation.

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Author Biography

Regina Whitman, Desert Cry Wildlife, Inc.

Regina Whitman has been a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator for over 30 years. In 1993 she moved to Arizona and founded Desert Cry Wildlife, Inc. Specializing in small mammals, she has developed an extensive knowledge of jacks’ behavior and developed protocols for their rehabilitation by studying and living around them over the past 14 years. She serves on the Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation review committee and is responsible for establishing protocols for Lagomorph cage requirements.

References

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Miller, E. A., ed. 2000. Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation, 3rd edition. P. 45. National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association: St. Cloud, MN.

Thome, G., and R. Scott. 2006. Surrogate Parenting and Development Stages of Newborn Western Cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) and a Black– tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) Nursed by a Western Desert Cottontail. Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin. 24(2):5–13.

Whitman, R. 2007. When is a Rabbit Not a Rabbit? Pp.53–58 in Wildlife Rehabilitation, vol 24 (L. Scott, ed.). National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association: St. Cloud, MN.