List Of Leporids
The 64 extant species of Leporidae are contained within 11 genera. One genus, Lepus, contains 32 species that are collectively referred to as hares; the other eight genera are generally referred to as rabbits, with the majority – 19 species – in Sylvilagus, or the cottontail rabbits. Over one hundred extinct Leporidae species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed.
Conventions
Conservation status | |
---|---|
EX | Extinct (0 species) |
EW | Extinct in the wild (0 species) |
CR | Critically Endangered (1 species) |
EN | Endangered (9 species) |
VU | Vulnerable (8 species) |
NT | Near threatened (2 species) |
LC | Least concern (39 species) |
Other categories | |
DD | Data deficient (5 species) |
NE | Not evaluated (0 species) |
Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the leporid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†".
Classification
The family Leporidae consists of 64 extant species in 11 genera which are divided into over 200 extant subspecies. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species.
- Genus Brachylagus: one species
- Genus Bunolagus: one species
- Genus Caprolagus: one species
- Genus Lepus: thirty-two species
- Genus Nesolagus: two species
- Genus Oryctolagus: one species
- Genus Pentalagus: one species
- Genus Poelagus: one species
- Genus Pronolagus: four species
- Genus Romerolagus: one species
- Genus Sylvilagus: nineteen species
Leporids
The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pygmy rabbit | B. idahoensis (Merriam, 1891) |
Western America (introduced in red) |
Size: 23–30 cm (9–12 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and desert Diet: Sagebrush, as well as grass and other plants |
LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Riverine rabbit | B. monticularis (Thomas, 1903) |
Southern South Africa |
Size: 33–47 cm (13–19 in) long, plus 7–11 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland Diet: Shrubs as well as grass |
CR
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hispid hare | C. hispidus (Blyth, 1845) |
Himalayas |
Size: 38–50 cm (15–20 in) long, plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Grassland and inland wetlands Diet: Grass as well as other plants |
EN
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Abyssinian hare | L. habessinicus Hemprich, Ehrenberg, 1832 Four subspecies
|
Horn of Africa |
Size: 44–45 cm (17–18 in) long Habitat: Savanna, grassland, and desert Diet: Grass, shrubs, and forbs |
LC
|
African savanna hare | L. victoriae Heuglin, 1865 |
Sub-Saharan Africa |
Size: 41–58 cm (16–23 in) long Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Variety of plants |
LC
|
Alaskan hare | L. othus Merriam, 1900 Two subspecies
|
Western Alaska |
Size: 50–60 cm (20–24 in) long, plus 6–11 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Dwarf willow, grass, sedges, and other plants |
LC
|
Antelope jackrabbit | L. alleni Mearns, 1890 Three subspecies
|
Southwestern North America |
Size: 43–70 cm (17–28 in) long, plus 5–14 cm (2–6 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Grass, velvet mesquite, and cacti |
LC
|
Arctic hare | L. arcticus Ross, 1819 Four subspecies
|
Arctic North America |
Size: 56–66 cm (22–26 in) long, plus 4–10 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Woody plants |
LC
|
Black jackrabbit
|
L. insularis Bryant, 1891 |
Tip of Baja California |
Size: 54–61 cm (21–24 in) long, plus 6–12 cm (2–5 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, caves, desert, and coastal marine Diet: Grass, as well as tree bark |
VU
|
Black-tailed jackrabbit | L. californicus Gray, 1837 Six subspecies
|
Western and central North America |
Size: 47–63 cm (19–25 in) long, plus 5–12 cm (2–5 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Grass and herbs, as well as twigs and bark |
LC
|
Broom hare | L. castroviejoi Arribas, 1977 |
Northern Spain |
Size: 41–59 cm (16–23 in) long Habitat: Forest and shrubland Diet: Grass, herbs, field crops, twigs, buds, and bark |
VU
|
Burmese hare | L. peguensis Blyth, 1855 Two subspecies
|
Southeastern Asia |
Size: 40–59 cm (16–23 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Grass, bark and twigs |
LC
|
Cape hare | L. capensis Linnaeus, 1758 Twelve subspecies
|
Africa and western Asia |
Size: 52–60 cm (20–24 in) long Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Grass, shrubs, and herbs |
LC
|
Chinese hare | L. sinensis Gray, 1832 Three subspecies
|
Southeastern China and Taiwan |
Size: 36–42 cm (14–17 in) long, plus 17 cm (7 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Leafy plants, green shoots, and twigs |
LC
|
Corsican hare | L. corsicanus Winton, 1898 |
Southern Italy |
Size: 55–61 cm (22–24 in) long Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and coastal marine Diet: Grass, as well as mint, sedges, rushes, peas, and flowers |
VU
|
Desert hare | L. tibetanus Waterhouse, 1841 Five subspecies
|
Northwestern China |
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Variety of plants as well as seeds, berries, roots, and twigs |
LC
|
Ethiopian hare
|
L. fagani Thomas, 1903 |
Ethiopia |
Size: 42–50 cm (17–20 in) long, plus 7–11 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Unknown plants |
LC
|
Ethiopian highland hare | L. starcki Petter, 1963 |
Central Ethiopia |
Size: 46–60 cm (18–24 in) long, plus 7–12 cm (3–5 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Grass as well as shrubs |
LC
|
European hare | L. europaeus Pallas, 1778 Sixteen subspecies
|
Europe, western Asia, northeastern North America, southern South America, eastern Oceana (introduced in light red) |
Size: 60–75 cm (24–30 in) long, plus 7–11 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Grass, herbs, field crops, twigs, buds, and bark |
LC
|
Granada hare | L. granatensis Rosenhauer, 1856 Three subspecies
|
Iberian Peninsula (introduced in pink) |
Size: 44–48 cm (17–19 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Buds, twigs, bark, and crops |
LC
|
Hainan hare | L. hainanus Swinhoe, 1870 |
Hainan Island, China |
Size: 35–40 cm (14–16 in) long, plus 4–7 cm (2–3 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Plants |
EN
|
Indian hare | L. nigricollis F. Cuvier, 1823 Seven subspecies
|
Indian subcontinent |
Size: 40–70 cm (16–28 in) long Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, inland wetlands, and desert Diet: Grass and flowering plants |
LC
|
Japanese hare | L. brachyurus Temminck, 1845 Four subspecies
|
Japan |
Size: 45–54 cm (18–21 in) long, plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Grass, buds, seedlings, and shrubs |
LC
|
Korean hare | L. coreanus Thomas, 1892 |
Korea |
Size: 45–54 cm (18–21 in) long, plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Grass, shrubs, and bark |
LC
|
Manchurian hare | L. mandshuricus Radde, 1861 |
Eastern Asia |
Size: 41–54 cm (16–21 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Bark and twigs, as well as shrubs, herbs, and fruit |
LC
|
Mountain hare | L. timidus Linnaeus, 1758 Fifteen subspecies
|
Europe and northern Asia |
Size: 50–55 cm (20–22 in) long, plus 5–7 cm (2–3 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and inland wetlands Diet: Seeds, berries, roots, twigs, and other plants |
LC
|
Scrub hare | L. saxatilis F. Cuvier, 1823 Two subspecies
|
Southern Africa |
Size: 45–65 cm (18–26 in) long Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Grass |
LC
|
Snowshoe hare | L. americanus Erxleben, 1777 Six subspecies
|
Northern North America |
Size: 38–51 cm (15–20 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) tail Habitat: Forest and shrubland Diet: Grass, forbs, sedges, and ferns |
LC
|
Tehuantepec jackrabbit | L. flavigularis Wagner, 1844 |
Small region of southern Mexico |
Size: 56–61 cm (22–24 in) long Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, grassland, and coastal marine Diet: Grass, as well as other plants |
EN
|
Tolai hare | L. tolai Pallas, 1778 Eight subspecies
|
Central and eastern Asia |
Size: 40–59 cm (16–23 in) long, plus 7–11 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Grassland and rocky areas Diet: Roots, grass, and herbs |
LC
|
White-sided jackrabbit | L. callotis Wagler, 1830 Two subspecies
|
Southern North America |
Size: 43–60 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 4–10 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Grass and sedges |
VU
|
White-tailed jackrabbit | L. townsendii Bachman, 1839 Two subspecies
|
Central and northern North America |
Size: 53–60 cm (21–24 in) long Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Grass and forbs, as well as shrubs |
LC
|
Woolly hare | L. oiostolus Hodgson, 1840 Four subspecies
|
Central Asia |
Size: 40–50 cm (16–20 in) long, plus 9 cm (4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Grass and leaves, as well as fruit and crops |
LC
|
Yarkand hare | L. yarkandensis Günther, 1875 |
Western China |
Size: 28–43 cm (11–17 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Forest and shrubland Diet: Grass and crops |
NT
|
Yunnan hare | L. comus Allen, 1927 |
Southern China |
Size: 28–43 cm (11–17 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Grassland Diet: Forbs and shrubs |
LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Annamite striped rabbit
|
N. timminsi Averianov, Abramov, Tikhonov, 2000 |
Annamite Range in Southeastern Asia |
Size: 35–40 cm (14–16 in) long Habitat: Forest Diet: Unknown plants |
EN
|
Sumatran striped rabbit | N. netscheri (Schlegel, 1880) |
Sumatra |
Size: 36–42 cm (14–17 in) long, plus 17 cm (7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Cyrtandra plants |
DD
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
European rabbit | O. cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) Seven subspecies
|
Europe, southern South America, and Oceana (introduced in pink) |
Size: 38–50 cm (15–20 in) long Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Grass, leaves, buds, bark, and roots |
EN
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Amami rabbit | P. furnessi (Stone, 1900) |
Southern tip of Japan |
Size: 39–53 cm (15–21 in) long, plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and intertidal marine Diet: Herbs, shrubs, and acorns |
EN
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bunyoro rabbit
|
P. marjorita (St. Leger, 1929) |
Central Africa |
Size: 45–50 cm (18–20 in) long, plus 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, and rocky areas Diet: Grass, shrubs, forbs, and tubers |
LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hewitt's red rock hare | P. saundersiae Hewitt, 1927 |
Southern Africa |
Size: 38–54 cm (15–21 in) long, plus 5–12 cm (2–5 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and rocky areas Diet: Grass |
LC
|
Jameson's red rock hare | P. randensis Jameson, 1907 Three subspecies
|
Southern Africa |
Size: 42–50 cm (17–20 in) long Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and rocky areas Diet: Grass |
LC
|
Natal red rock hare | P. crassicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1832) Two subspecies
|
Southern Africa |
Size: 46–56 cm (18–22 in) long, plus 3–11 cm (1–4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and rocky areas Diet: Grass |
LC
|
Smith's red rock hare | P. rupestris Smith, 1834 Five subspecies
|
Southern Africa |
Size: 38–54 cm (15–21 in) long, plus 5–12 cm (2–5 in) tail Habitat: Grassland, rocky areas, and desert Diet: Grass, herbs, and shrubs |
LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Volcano rabbit | R. diazi (Ferrari-Pérez, 1893) |
Southern Mexico |
Size: 27–32 cm (11–13 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail Habitat: Forest and grassland Diet: Grass |
EN
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Andean tapeti | S. andinus (Thomas, 1897) |
Northern Andes | Size: 33–36 cm (13–14 in) long, plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Grassland Diet: Grass and sedges |
DD
|
Appalachian cottontail | S. obscurus Chapman, Cramer, Dippenaar, Robinson, 1992 |
Eastern America |
Size: 32–41 cm (13–16 in) long, plus 2–7 cm (1–3 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and inland wetlands Diet: Ferns, grass, forbs, shrubs, and conifer needles |
NT
|
Brush rabbit | S. bachmani (Waterhouse, 1839) Six subspecies
|
Western North America |
Size: 30–37 cm (12–15 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, inland wetlands, and desert Diet: Grass, as well as other plants |
LC
|
Central American tapeti
|
S. gabbi (Allen, 1877) |
Central America | Size: Unknown Habitat: Forest Diet: Unknown plants |
LC
|
Coastal tapeti
|
S. tapetillus Thomas, 1913 |
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Size: Unknown Habitat: Grassland Diet: Unknown plants |
VU
|
Common tapeti | S. brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758) Seventeen subspecies
|
Northeastern Brazil | Size: Unknown Habitat: Forest Diet: Unknown plants |
EN
|
Davis Mountains cottontail | S. robustus Bailey, 1905 |
Mexico and southern United States | Size: Unknown Habitat: Forest Diet: Unknown plants |
VU
|
Desert cottontail | S. audubonii (Baird, 1858) Seven subspecies
|
Western North America |
Size: 37–40 cm (15–16 in) long, plus 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Forbs, grass, and shrubs |
LC
|
Dice's cottontail
|
S. dicei Harris Jr., 1932 |
Costa Rica and Panama |
Size: 34–45 cm (13–18 in) long, plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Unknown plants |
VU
|
Eastern cottontail | S. floridanus (Allen, 1890) Seventeen subspecies
|
North America, Central America, and northern South America |
Size: 39–48 cm (15–19 in) long, plus 2–7 cm (1–3 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, grassland, inland wetlands, rocky areas, and desert Diet: Variety of plants |
LC
|
Marsh rabbit | S. palustris (Bachman, 1837) Three subspecies
|
Eastern America |
Size: 42–44 cm (17–17 in) long Habitat: Forest, grassland, inland wetlands, and intertidal marine Diet: Berries, rhizomes, bulbs, grass, and other plants |
LC
|
Mexican cottontail | S. cunicularius (Horsfield, 1848) Two subspecies
|
Southern Mexico |
Size: 48–52 cm (19–20 in) long, plus 5–7 cm (2–3 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Unknown plants |
LC
|
Mountain cottontail | S. nuttallii (Bachman, 1837) Three subspecies
|
Western North America |
Size: 28–36 cm (11–14 in) long, plus 3–6 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Forest and shrubland Diet: Sagebrush and grass |
LC
|
New England cottontail | S. transitionalis (Bangs, 1895) |
New England |
Size: 39–44 cm (15–17 in) long Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and inland wetlands Diet: Grass, forbs, and twigs |
VU
|
Omilteme cottontail
|
S. insonus Nelson, 1904 |
Sierra Madre del Sur in Mexico |
Size: 39–44 cm (15–17 in) long, plus 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Unknown plants |
DD
|
Santa Marta tapeti
|
S. sanctaemartae Hershkovitz, 1950 |
Columbia | Size: Unknown Habitat: Forest, grassland Diet: Unknown plants |
DD
|
Swamp rabbit | S. aquaticus (Bachman, 1837) Two subspecies
|
Southern America |
Size: 45–55 cm (18–22 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and inland wetlands Diet: Grass, sedges, shrubs, bark, seedlings, and twigs |
LC
|
Tres Marias cottontail
|
S. graysoni (Allen, 1877) |
Southwestern Mexico |
Size: 21–48 cm (8–19 in) long, plus 1–6 cm (0.4–2.4 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland Diet: Wide variety of plants |
EN
|
Venezuelan lowland rabbit
|
S. varynaensis Durant, Guevara, 2001 |
Venezuela |
Size: 41–49 cm (16–19 in) long, plus 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) tail Habitat: Forest and savanna Diet: Sida plants |
DD
|