Attracting Jackrabbits

This is a hare-raising tale (NB: jackrabbits are not rabbits, but are hares). It all started late last winter when I noticed the tracks and feces of white-tailed jackrabbits by the bird feeder in our front yard. The big-footed visitors had hopped up the pile of snow around the base of the bird feeder and helped themselves to a meal of black-oil sunflower seeds. It turns out the seeds are extremely good for their winter coats.

It always gives me a thrill to see these large hares galumphing around the neighbourhood. What could I do to help them out and attract them to my yard? I decided to create habitat for them on my front boulevard.  So last summer, I planted the area to potatoes to begin changing the soil. Then, I looked up what they like to eat in the wild in the summer to make sure they had what they needed from spring through fall as well. Prickly pear cactus turned out to be one of the desirables. I planted the cacti in full sun around the base of a tree where people wouldn’t step on it. Soon after planting, the cacti began disappearing, so I knew I was onto something. White-tailed jackrabbits have a hard pallet so the needles and thorns don’t bother them. I think the cactus is like watermelon for them.

The best way of attracting wildlife is to plant native vegetation such as grasses, wild strawberries, native flowers, and other plants that are natural to the area. Native plants have evolved over time to thrive in the local climate and soil conditions. By planting native vegetation, you are providing food and shelter for a variety of animals and insects. Water is another essential need for all wildlife. I have buried a shallow planting tray for water in a shady area and I refill it daily from spring to fall. I also built a small, shallow shelter at the spot and lined it with moss.

The City of Saskatoon website offers resources on different wild animals that might be encountered. One brochure they have features the white-tailed jackrabbit, find it here.

For some reason, the white-tailed jackrabbit has adapted well to cities, and is one of Saskatoon’s more common wild mammals. These adaptable creatures can be found in a variety of habitats. I like to think that wildlife in urban areas is as important as wildlife in the countryside, as animals are otherwise losing natural habitat where they can bed down, nest, find food and water. You can help rebuild biodiversity and keep Saskatoon Wild by providing simple habitats. 

Habitat – Photo by Sandra Walker

This is the first stage in installing the jackrabbit habitat. After potato harvest, I began by moving things that were already in my yard. I also seeded the area in the fall and covered it with leaves for the winter. Next year it will be greener. I will post updates and maybe install a bunny cam aimed at the spot (with signage, of course!).

– Sandra Walker