Brachylagus idahoensis
pygmy rabbit

Pygmy rabbits live throughout most of the Great Basin area and, to a lesser extent, in nearby intermountain areas of the western United States. They are found from the southwest corner of Montana north and east through southern Idaho and southern Oregon. Distribution also extends south to northern Utah, northern Nevada, and Eastern California. There are also populations in east-central Washington and Wyoming that are genetically isolated. (Sayler, et al., 2001)

There is some evidence that the geographic range of pygmy rabbits has diminished within the last 3000 years. Fossil evidence and the constant reduction of sagebrush habitat, the habitat type that is necessary for pygmy rabbit survival, provide strong evidence that the prehistoric range was much larger than it is currently. (Lyman, 1991)

Brachylagus idahoensis are found primarily in big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) habitat and secondarily in communities dominated by rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.). More rarely they are found in areas of abundant greasewood (Sarcobatus spp.). They have also been found in areas with the woody plants antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentate), threetip sagebrush (Artemisia tripartita), gray horsebrush (Tetradymia canecens), and prickly phlox (Leptodactylon pungens). Grasses they are associated with include thick spike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus), palins reedgrass (Calamagrostis montanensis), sedges (Carex spp.), prairie junegrass (Koeleria macratha), and several others. (Lyman, 1991)

Pygmy rabbits can be found from 4,494 to more than 7,004 feet (1,370 to 2,135 meters) in Nevada and from 4,986 to 5,298 feet (1,520 to 1,615 meters) in California.

Brachylagus idahoensis is the smallest rabbit species in North America and fit easily in the palm of a hand. They weigh between 246 to 462 grams, averaging 398 to 436 g. They are 23.5 to 29.5 cm long, with a tail length of 15 to 24 mm and hind foot length of 67 to 76 mm. Their fur color varies from brown to dark grey with white around the margins of their short, round ears. Their ears and feet are densely covered in hair and they have a very short tail. Rabbits in general show some sexual size dimorphism, in that females are 1 to 10 percent larger than males. (Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982; Green and Flinders, 1980; "Information from Pacific Biodiversity Institute's Endangered Species Information Network", 2004)

Mating systems in pygmy rabbits are unknown. In the related genus Sylvilagus, males maintain sexual hierarchies, with dominant individuals mating with more females. (Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982; Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982)

There is little known about the reproductive habits of pygmy rabbits. The breeding season is short, compared to other rabbits, occurring from March to May in Idaho and February to March in Utah. It has been suggested that young are raised in nests inside burrows, though none have been found. Pygmy rabbits appear to synchronize breeding throughout the breeding season. Breeding time is determined by female readiness, which seems to be influenced by photoperiod and the condition of local food plants. Gestation is unknown, but lasts from 27 to 30 days in Sylvilagus species. Average litter size is 6. There is a maximum of three litters in a breeding season. Pygmy rabbits are capable of reproduction in the year following their birth. (" Information from Pacific Biodiversity Institute's Endangered Species Information Network", 2004; Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982; Green and Flinders, 1980)

There is little known about parental investment among pygmy rabbits. In other rabbit species females build nests for their young and care for them until they are mature. (Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982)

Little is known about the lifespan of pygmy rabbits. Lifespans of related rabbit species vary greatly. Pygmy rabbit lifespan is primarily limited by predation, which can claim up to 88% of all individuals including adults and juveniles. Maximum mortality occurs between birth and 5 weeks old. (" Information from Pacific Biodiversity Institute's Endangered Species Information Network", 2004; Conaway and Wight, 1962)

Pygmy rabbits are the only rabbit species in North America to dig their own burrows. Burrows are dug in deep loose soil and are extensive, with multiple, interconnecting chambers. They also use natural cavities and the burrows of other animals. Burrows have several entrances, usually at the bases of large sagebrush shrubs. Pygmy rabbits use a system of runways between food plants, both above ground in the summer and below the snow in winter. They move by scampering close to the ground and generally don’t leap. (Duszynski, et al., 2005; Green and Flinders, 1980)

Pygmy rabbits are not territorial and their home range is generally determined by food availability. (Lyman, 1991)

Brachylagus idahoensis produce several vocalizations characterized as squeals, squeaks, and chuckles. They squeal when alarmed. Male pygmy rabbits also communicate dominance through body signals. It is likely that chemical cues play a role in communication, as in other mammals, but this is poorly understood in pygmy rabbits. (Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982; Duszynski, et al., 2005; Green and Flinders, 1980)

Pygmy rabbits are herbivorous grazers that eat mostly sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). During winter months their diet consists of up to 98% sagebrush. In the summer and spring months their diet becomes more varied, including more grass and new foliage. (Green and Flinders, 1980; Sayler, et al., 2001)

Pygmy rabbits are preyed upon by weasels (Mustela), coyotes (Canis latrans), badgers (Taxidea taxus), bobcats (Lynx rufus), diurnal birds of prey (Falconiformes), owls (Strigiformes), foxes (Vulpes and Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and sometimes humans (pygmy rabbits are sometimes difficult for hunters to distinguish from other rabbit species). Predation is the primary cause of mortality among both adults and juveniles and can be as high as 50% in the first five weeks of life. Like other rabbits, pygmy rabbits mainly try to stay hidden and are cryptically colored to avoid predation. They are also capable of short bursts of speed to try and escape predators. ("Wildlife Distribution and Occurrence", 1991; Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982)

Brachylagus idahoensis is a prey source for many predators (listed above) but dwindling populations make them scarce game. It is possible that the burrowing and grazing habits of these rabbits have an advantageous effect on at least one species of sagebrush plants (Artemisia tridentate), which are their primary food source. (Lyman, 1991)

Pygmy rabbits are important and unique members of the ecosystems in which they live.

Pygmy rabbits have no known negative economic impact on humans.

Washington state lists B. idahoensis as an endangered species and it is believed that there are less than fifty left, maybe none left in the wild. Breeding and reintroduction programs to date have been mostly unsuccessful. Washington pygmy rabbits are a genetically distinct subspecies and, therefore, conservationists are not trying to crossbreed them with larger populations elsewhere. Pygmy rabbits are also a species of concern in Idaho. ("Wildlife Distribution and Occurrence", 1991; Sayler, et al., 2001)