Riverine Rabbit

Taxobox
name = Riverine Rabbit [MSW3 Hoffmann | pages = 194]
status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Collins "et al" | year = 2003 | id = 3326 | title = Bunolagus monticularis | downloaded = 2006-05-11 Database entry includes justification for why this species is critically endangered]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Lagomorpha
familia = Leporidae
genus = "Bunolagus"
genus_authority = Thomas, 1929
species = "B. monticularis"
binomial = "Bunolagus monticularis"
binomial_authority = (Thomas, 1903)

The Riverine Rabbit ("Bunolagus monticularis"), also known as the Bushman Rabbit or Bushman Hare, is one of the rarest and most endangered mammals in the world, with probably no more than 200 individuals left. This rabbit has an extremely limited distribution area, found only in the central and southern regions of the Karoo Desert of South Africa's Cape Province. It is the only member of the genus "Bunolagus".

It typically has a black stripe running from the corner of the mouth over the cheek. It has a brown woolly tail, cream-colored fur on its belly and throat, and a broad, club-like hind foot. Its tail is pale brown with a tinge of black toward the tip. It is a nocturnal species.

It is nowadays found in only a few places in the Karoo, none of them being a protected area. Fraserburg, Sutherland and Victoria West all have small populations.

References

External links

*World's most endangered mammals [http://www.animalinfo.org/rarest.htm]
*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Bunolagus_monticularis/ images and movies of the riverine rabbit "(Bunolagus monticularis)"]
* [http://www.riverinerabbit.co.za/images/thumbnails/pages/rabbit11_jpg_jpg.htm additional images] available at riverinerabbit.co.za