- Jameson's Red Rock Hare
Taxobox
name = Jameson's Red Rock HareMSW3 Hoffmann | pages = 206-207]
status = LR/lc
status_system = iucn2.3
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Lagomorph Specialist Group | year = 1996 | id = 41294 | title = Pronolagus randensis | downloaded =2006-05-12 Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern]
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Mammal ia
ordo =Lagomorpha
familia =Leporidae
genus = "Pronolagus "
species = "P. randensis"
binomial = "Pronolagus randensis"
binomial_authority = Jameson, 1907Jameson's Red Rock Hare is a
leporid found only on thecontinent ofAfrica , mostly in the southern portion of the continent.South Africa has a population of this red rock hare but it is only found in the northwestern part of the country.Botswana also has a population, they occur mostly in the eastern regions of the country.Zimbabwe orNamibia is thought to have the largest population of the red rock hare and it said to be found throughout the country.Habitat
Jameson's Red Rock Hare is found in very rocky environments, this is where it gets its name. This red rock hare is found on the rocky slopes of mountainous regions of the southern African continent. It is also found in grassy or bushy areas on or around these mountains and it uses them as its shelter during resting periods and sleep.
Description
This species has a fine, silky
fur which is grizzled rufous-brown on the upper parts of the body. It has a whitishchin and slightly lighter fur on theventrum . The sides of theneck , lowerjaw andcheek s are light grey in colour. It has a large reddish-brown, black tippedtail . The largeear s are sparsely haired and sometimes are tipped with black. When fully grown, this red rock hare can weigh more than 5 pounds.Reproduction
Very little is known about its breeding habits. It is assumed that breeding can and does occur year around and
female s give birth to 1 to 3 young per litter.Behavior
Active by night, this species remains in hiding during the day and therefore is
nocturnal . Solitary in habits, although it is sometimes seen in groups comprising of a female and her young. Anoestrus female is often followed by courting males as with other species.Food
Jameson's Red Rock Hare only feeds at night, when it is most active. It feeds on the vegetation in and around its habitat including
grasses , leaves, and certainfruits . As with other hares and rabbits, Jameson's Red Rock Hare practicescoprophagy in order to get the most nutrients out of its diet.Human interaction and impact
Jameson's Red Rock Hare is not on any endangered or threatened list. The habitat that it uses, as with many other animals' habitats, is endangered because of human encroachment. The continent of Africa, even the region this species is found, is often war-torn and this may affect Jameson's Red Rock Hare, its habitat, or both. Currently though the population of Jameson's Red Rock Hare appears to be stable.
References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.