The Hainan hare (''Lepus hainanus'') is a

hare Hares and jackrabbits are mammals belonging to the genus ''Lepus''. They are herbivores, and live solitarily or in pairs. They nest in slight depressions called forms, and their young are able to fend for themselves shortly after birth. The ge ...

endemic to Hainan Island, China. The species was first described by

Robert Swinhoe Robert Swinhoe FRS (1 September 1836 – 28 October 1877) was an English diplomat and naturalist who worked as a Consul in Formosa. He catalogued many Southeast Asian birds, and several, such as Swinhoe's pheasant, are named after him. Bio ...

in 1870.

Description

The Hainan hare is small; its body length is less than and weighs only . Its head is small and round. It has long ears that are longer than its hind feet. The upper part of the tail is black, while the under parts are white. It has a more colorful coat than most other hares: its back is brownish black and white, its belly is white, the fur on the flank is a mixture of brownish yellow and brownish white, and its limbs are dark brown.

Behavior

The Hainan hare is a solitary animal and active at night or dusk. It does not live in burrows, but hides in bushes. It likes to live in flat, cool land with many bushes.

Habitat and distribution

The Hainan hare is found in the dry grassland of western Hainan Island. It does not live in mountains or agricultural land.

Threats

In previous years, the Hainan hare was slaughtered for skin, and this continues to some degree. It is also threatened by

loss of habitat Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduction) is the process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species. The organisms that previously inhabited the site are displaced or dead, thereby ...

. Most of the habitat and animals on Hainan are threatened by similar factors, like the Hainan black crested gibbon, one of the world's rarest primates.

Conservation

There is no control for overhunting of this rabbit and habitat destruction, even though it is considered endangered. Little is known on specific populations.

References

External links

Chinabiodiversity.com
{{Taxonbar , from=Q1355743 hainanus Mammals of Asia Mammals of China Endemic fauna of Hainan Mammals described in 1870