The pygmy rabbit gets its name from the fact that is the smallest rabbit in existent. The only lagomorphs (the group that includes rabbits, hares and pikas) that are smaller then the pygmy rabbit are pikas. There are a lot of important facts about the pygmy rabbit including the fact that most pygmy rabbits die before they reach 5 weeks of age as a result of being the prey of many other animals. Despite this the pygmy rabbit continues to thrive in its habitat.
Physical Characteristics
The pygmy rabbit is 9 to 11 ½ inches long with a ½ to 1 inch long tail and weighs 13 to 16 ounces. It is the smallest rabbit in the world. The fur on its back is long and silky. In the summer the fur is brown but in the winter it fades to gray. Its torso or underside is a whitish color. Its ears are short and have fur only on the inside edge.
Behavioral Characteristics
The pygmy rabbit is a solitary animal however it will make whistling calls if it detects a nearby predator in order to warn its neighbors of the danger. It uses its claws to dig a large burrow system underground with several entrances. It uses its burrows to travel to different feeding areas. They normally do not leap, mostly scampering close to the ground.
Life Cycle
The location of the population of the pygmy rabbit determines the breeding season. In Idaho the breeding season is from March to May and in Utah the breeding season is from February to March. Each female can produce up to 3 litters in a single breeding season. The gestation or pregnancy lasts 27 to 30 days. Each litter has 4 to 8 offspring with an average of 6. Both the male and the female of this species appear to reach sexual maturity at about 11 months old. The lifespan of this animal is not well known. Most (88%) die from predation. This includes infants, juveniles and adults. The majority of deaths occur between birth and 5 weeks old.
The pygmy rabbit is herbivorous, feeding mostly on big sagebrush. It also will eat other plant species that are closely related to the big sagebrush. It climbs far into the bush before starting to eat which is unusual for a rabbit.
Habitat
The pygmy rabbit is found in the western United States of America in an area known as the Great Basin. It occupies arid habitats where there is an abundance of big sagebrush.
Conservation Status
The pygmy rabbit is classified as least concern on the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) red list of threatened species. This classification is the lowest and means the species has a large widespread, population and no current threats that would likely decrease its population in the foreseeable future.
References:
Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World’s Wildlifeby, David Burnie and Don E. Wilson
Rohde, A. and A. Fraser. 2006. “Brachylagus idahoensis” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed August 31, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Brachylagus_idahoensis.html.
