Red rabbit (species)

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Red rabbit
Systematics
Subclass : Higher mammals (Eutheria)
Superordinate : Euarchontoglires
Order : Hare-like (Lagomorpha)
Family : Hares (Leporidae)
Genre : Red rabbit ( Pronolagus )
Type : Red rabbit
Scientific name
Pronolagus rupestris
( A. Smith , 1834)

The red rabbit ( Pronolagus rupestris ) is a species of the African red rabbit within the hare-like species . Its distribution area is limited to the south and east of Africa.

features

The three types of red rabbits differ only slightly from each other and the systematics has not yet been fully clarified. The reddish brown to brown coloration, which also includes the tail, and the comparatively short ears of the animals are characteristic of other hares in Africa. The Natal wool-tailed hare is the largest species of the red rabbit, but the three species are only distinguished on the basis of minor differences in fur color and skull dimensions.

The body length of the hare, like that of the related species, is 35 to 50 or 38 to 56 centimeters, depending on the source, and the tail is 5 to 10 or 3.5 to 13.5 centimeters long. The ears are 6 to 10 centimeters in length and the rear feet are 7.5 to 10 centimeters. The body weight is 2 to 2.5 or 1.35 to 3.05 kilograms.

distribution

Distribution area of ​​the red rabbit
Distribution area of Pronolagus saundersiae , which is occasionally listed as a separate species

The red rabbit's distribution area consists of two separate areas in the south of the African continent. The more southern includes parts of South Africa and extends to Lesotho , a separate population lives in an area from southwestern Kenya to central Tanzania , eastern Zambia and Malawi .

Way of life

The red rabbit occurs in stony areas with shrubby vegetation or grassy areas in mountain and mountainous regions. Like all red rabbits, it is predominantly nocturnal and rests in rock caves during the day.

The red rabbit feeds mainly on young, sprouting grasses. The breeding season extends over the entire year, with the females giving birth to one or two young per litter.

Systematics

The red rabbit is assigned to the red rabbit (genus Pronolagus ) as an independent species . According to individual species and also at the IUCN , Pronolagus saundersiae is regarded as a separate species, this is listed as a subspecies of Pronolagus rupestris according to Wilson & Reeder 2005 .

Hazard and protection

The red rabbit is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as not endangered (least concern). Current estimates assume a population size of more than 10,000 animals in South Africa, the population decline for South Africa is estimated at around 10% by 2022.

Due to the limited, natural availability of the habitat preferred by the animals, there is already a strong fragmentation of the populations in their area of ​​distribution. A further change in the habitat took place through the increasing settlement of the habitats. In this way, habitats have decreased by around 20% since 1900, and forecasts assume a further loss of habitat of around 20% by 2022. The red rabbit is also a popular prey - both for hunting and for food supply.

supporting documents

  1. ↑ a b c A.G. Duthie, TJ Robinson: The African Rabbits In: Joseph A. Chapman, John EC Flux (Eds.): Rabbits, Hares and Pikas. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. (PDF; 11.3 MB) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), Gland 1990; Pp. 124-127. ISBN 2-8317-0019-1 .
  2. ^ Pronolagus rupestris on the homepage "Gateway to Wildpro". Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  3. ↑ a b c d e f Pronolagus rupestris in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2011. Posted by: AT Smith, AF Boyer, 2008. Accessed July 8 2012th
  4. ↑ a b Don E. Wilson & DeeAnn M. Reeder (eds.): Pronolagus randensis ( Memento of the original from March 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.vertebrates.si.edu archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. in Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed).
  5. ^ Pronolagus saundersiae in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2011.2. Listed by: AT Smith, CH Johnston, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2012.

literature

Web links

Commons : Pronolagus rupestris  - Collection of images, videos and audio files