Pygmy Rabbit

Taxobox
name = Pygmy Rabbit [MSW3 Hoffmann | pages = 194]


status = LR/nt
status_system = IUCN2.3
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Lagomorph Specialist Group | year = 1996 | id = 2963 | title = Brachylagus idahoensis | downloaded = 2006-05-11]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Lagomorpha
familia = Leporidae
genus = "Brachylagus"
genus_authority = Miller, 1900
species = "B. idahoensis"
binomial = "Brachylagus idahoensis"
binomial_authority = (Merriam, 1891)

The Pygmy Rabbit, "Brachylagus idahoensis" is a North American rabbit, and is one of only two rabbit species in America to dig its own burrow. The Pygmy Rabbit differs significantly from species within either the "Lepus" or "Sylvilagus" genera and is generally considered to be within the monotypic genus "Brachylagus". Although it is listed as an endangered species in the Columbia Basin of the United States, the IUCN lists the species as lower risk. This is because the Columbia Basin population is a genetically distinct isolated relict population well on its way to evolving into a distinct subspecies, whereas the IUCN only considers species as a whole.

The Pygmy Rabbit is the smallest leporid in North America, with mean adult weights from 375 to about 500 grams (0.8 to 1.1 pounds), and a body length from 23.5 to 29.5 centimeters (9¼ to 11½ inches); females are slightly larger than males. The pygmy rabbit is distinguishable from other leporids by its small size, short ears, gray color, small hind legs, and lack of white fur on the tail.

The Pygmy Rabbit is typically found in areas of tall, dense sagebrush ("Artemisia" spp.) cover, and are highly dependent on sagebrush to provide both food and shelter throughout the year. The historic distribution of the Pygmy Rabbit included much of the semi-arid, shrub steppe region of the Great Basin and adjacent intermountain zones of the conterminous western United States, and included portions of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington.

The last male purebred Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit, found only in Douglas County, Washington, died March 30, 2006, at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. A crossbreeding program conducted by the Oregon Zoo, Washington State University and Northwest Trek is attempting to preserve the genetic line by breeding surviving females with the Idaho Pygmy Rabbit. [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Endangered_Rabbit.html]

Listing Status

September 26, 2007 U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge granted litigant party Western Watersheds Project summary judgement remanding the United States Fish & Wildlife Service's "90-Day Finding" denying conservationist parties' Listing Petition. The petition sought legal protection for Pygmy Rabbit as "Endangered" or "Threatened". [http://www.westernwatersheds.org/legal/07/pygmy/pygmysjorder.pdf]

The decision orders U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to prepare a new 90-day Finding within 90 days of the Summary Judgement.

References

External links

* [http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/pygmy_rabbit/ Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Pygmy Rabbit]
* [http://cahnrs.wsu.edu/archives/2007/pygmy-rabbit-2007-03.html Article on Washington State University's pygmy rabbit breeding and release program, with photos and videos]
* [http://wdfw.wa.gov/science/articles/pygmy_rabbit/index.html "Fish and Wildlife Science" Magazine, article on captive breeding program for pygmy rabbits (with several photos)]
* [http://www.westernwatersheds.org Western Watersheds Project]