Hispid hare

Characteristics

The hispid hare has a harsh and bristly coat. Its ears are very short and do not project beyond the fur. The coat is dark brown on the back due to a mixture of black and brown hairs; brown on the chest and whitish on the abdomen. The tail is brown and about 30 mm (1.2 in) long. In body weight males range from 1,810 to 2,610 g (3.99 to 5.75 lb) with a mean of 2,248 g (4.956 lb). Females weigh in average 2,518 g (5.551 lb), including a heavily pregnant female weighing 3,210 g (7.08 lb) in this statistical mean weight.

The frontal bones are very wide. The occipito-nasal length generally exceeds 85 mm (3.3 in). There is no clear notch in front of postorbital processes.

In average, this hare is 476 mm (18.7 in) long from head to tail.

Distribution and habitat

The historical range of the hispid hare extended from Uttar Pradesh through southern Nepal, the northern region of West Bengal to Assam and into Bangladesh. Today, distribution is sporadic in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and possibly Bhutan. The species inhabits tracts of early successional tall grasslands and takes refuge in marshy areas or grasses adjacent to river banks during the dry season, when these areas are susceptible to burning.

The population in the extensive grasslands of Shuklaphanta National Park may be of international significance. Researchers camera trapped the first hispid hares in an area of 38 km² (15 sq mi) in the protected area in April 2010.

In January 2016, a hispid hare was recorded in Chitwan National Park for the first time since 1984.

Ecology

Hispid hares are most active at dawn and dusk. The limited information available on reproduction indicates that their average litter size is small.