Tolai hare

The Tolai hare is a captivating species native to Central Asia, Mongolia, and Northern and Central China. These hares thrive in a diverse array of habitats, including semi-deserts, steppes, rocky terrains, and forest meadows. Highly adaptable, they can even inhabit areas altered by human activity, owing to their high reproductive rate.

Tolai hares are primarily active during dusk and night, though they may occasionally venture out during the day. They measure 400-590 mm in head-to-body length, with tails ranging from 72-110 mm. Their fur varies, typically featuring shades of yellow, brown, or grey with stripes, a white underbelly, and black-tipped ears.

These hares prefer semi-arid steppes, mountain steppes, rocky regions, and forest grasslands. They favor shrubby areas that offer ample cover and generally reside at elevations between 600-900 meters above sea level. As nocturnal herbivores, they feed on grasses, herbaceous plants, and roots, creating ground depressions in which to rest.

Tolai hares breed two to three times annually, with each litter comprising two to six young. Despite being hunted for their meat and skin in some regions, they remain a common species with a wide distribution. In Mongolia, they are also utilized in traditional medicine.

Fortunately, the Tolai hare benefits from protection in various conservation areas and is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This designation indicates that they are not currently at significant risk of extinction.