Broom Hare

Taxobox
name = Broom HareMSW3 Hoffmann | pages = 197]


image_width = 196px
image_description = Broom Hare
image_caption = Lepus castroviejoi, the Broom Hare
status = VU
status_system = iucn2.3
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Lagomorph Specialist Group | year = 1996 | id = 11797 | title = Lepus castroviejoi | downloaded = 2006-05-11 Listed as Vulnerable (VU B2c+3c, C2b v2.3)]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Lagomorpha
familia = Leporidae
genus = "Lepus"
species = "L. castroviejoi"
binomial = "Lepus castroviejoi"
binomial_authority = Palacios, 1976

The Broom Hare ("Lepus castroviejoi") is a species of hare endemic to northern Spain. It is restricted to the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain between the Sierra de Ancares and the Sierra de Pena Labra. This region is approximately 230 km from east to west and 25-40 km from north to south. It lives in mountains at heights almost 2,000 metres high, though descends during the winter to avoid the colder temperatures and snow. The habitat is heathland, mainly "Erica", "Calluna", and "Vaccinium", with much shrub cover of "Cytisus", "Genista", and "Juniperus". It also inhabits clearings in mixed deciduous forest of oak and beech.

The Broom Hare has a body length that ranges from 45-65 cm long. Its tail will grow to lengths of 5-10 cm long. Its front legs grow from 10-20 cm and the back legs can grow from 20-30 cm long. The ears can grow to be as long as 18-20 cm. The fur of the Broom Hare is a mixture of brown, black and very little white on the upper part of the body. The underside of the body is all white. The top of the tail is black while the underside of the tail matches the body in being white. The ears are brownish-gray and are usually black tipped.

The species was only described as distinct in 1976; previously it had not been distinguished from the European Hare. Little is known about the feeding, reproductive, or behavioural habits of the Broom Hare but it is believed to be similar to that of the European Hare.

Human interaction and impact

The Broom Hare is listed on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species as vulnerable. The major threat listed to the Broom Hare's status is hunting. Hunting of the Broom Hare is excessive in many parts they inhabit, especially when the hares are isolated during the winter months.

References