Indian hare
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Lepus
Species:
L. nigricollis[1]
Binomial name
Lepus nigricollis[1]
F. Cuvier, 1823
Indian hare range
(green – native, red – introduced, dark grey – origin uncertain)

The Indian hare (Lepus nigricollis), also known as the black-naped hare, is a common species of hare native to the Indian subcontinent,[3] and Java. Its habitat in Java is in rocky highlands.

Description

The weight of an adult Indian hare can reach 6 kg. Its body length can reach 40 cm. Its hair color is yellowish brown. Indian hares can live 5 to 10 years, and can become pregnant 7 times a year, with an average number of 6 to 12 cubs. Indian hares are relatively more immune to various diseases because they have adapted to a tropical climate, and they reproduce very quickly compared to imported rabbits. Indian hares are relatively small in size and don't have very thick fur.

Introductions

Indian hare in Rajkot

It has been introduced to Madagascar, Comoro Islands, Andaman Islands, Western New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Mayotte, Mauritius and Réunion.[4]

Taxonomy

There are seven recognized subspecies of Indian hare.

References

  1. ^ Hoffman, R.S.; Smith, A.T. (2005). "Order Lagomorpha". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 201. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ Nameer, P.O. & Smith, A.T. (2019). "Lepus nigricollis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T41282A45188041. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T41282A45188041.en. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  3. ^ Suchentrunk, F & Mihajla Davidovic (2004). "Evaluation of the classification of Indian hares (Lepus nigricollis) into the genus Indolagus Gureev, 1953 (Leporidae, Lagomorpha)" (PDF). Mammalian Biology. 69 (1): 46–57. doi:10.1078/1616-5047-115. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2006-06-12.
  4. ^ Long, J.L. (2003). Introduced Mammals of the World: Their History, Distribution and Influence. Cambridge: Cabi Publishing. doi:10.1071/9780643090156. ISBN 9780851997483.
Categories