Caprolagus hispidus
hispid hare

Caprolagus hispidus has previously been recorded along the southern foothills of the Himalayan mountain chain, in the area from Uttar Pradesh, through Nepal, Sikkim, Bengal, and Bhutan, to Assam. Hispid hares are currently very rare, and are extinct over most of this area. They are now confined to northwestern Assam, and a few areas in Nepal. (Burton and Burton, 1988; Ghose, 1978; Massicot, 2003; Oliver, 1978; Oliver, 1980)

Generally, hispid hares live in areas with tall-grass savannah. They enjoy habitats that are essentially flat, well drained, and thinly forested. Since hispid hares are dependent on the roots and shoots of thatch for food, they are associated with areas that have a high amount of thatch, commonly referred to as thatchland or elephant grass. This vegetation grows up to 3.5 meters in height (during the monsoon). (Burton and Burton, 1988; Ghose, 1978; Massicot, 2003; Nowak, 1999a; Oliver, 1978; Oliver, 1980)

In the early months of the year (January through April), the grassland and nearby forests are set on fire in an attempt to control the faunal composition of the region. Hispid hares move to cultivated fields and shelter on the banks of dried up streams. Once the monsoon reaches its peak, the thatch becomes waterlogged and C. hispidus moves to the forested areas of nearby foothills. (Burton and Burton, 1988; Ghose, 1978; Massicot, 2003; Nowak, 1999a; Oliver, 1978; Oliver, 1980)

Mass avererages 2500 grams, and length ranges from 405 to 538 mm. C. hispidus have short, broad ears, and small eyes. This species has strong claws and large teeth. The hind legs of C. hispidus are short and stout, not often exceeding the length of the forelimbs. There are two layers of fur: a coarse, bristly, outer layer, and an under layer which is shorter and finer. The top layer of pelage is dark brown in color due to a mixture of black and brownish-white hairs, whereas the bottom layer consists of hair that is strictly brownish white. The tail also has two layers of pelage, both of which are brown; the top layer is darkest. (Burton and Burton, 1988; Ghose, 1978; Nowak, 1999a)

Since hispid hares are hard to find, not much is known about their natural lifespan. In captivity, these animals do not survive very long. There were four or five hispid hares captured for the Gauhati Zoo during 1975, but they all died during transport. Another pair was captured in 1976 and was kept for two to three months until one escaped and the other was released. One captured hare wanted to avoid humans so much that he fractured his skull by dashing his head against the wire enclosure. (Oliver, 1978; Oliver, 1980)

Little is known about the behavior of C. hispidus. Local people have said that these animals are slow moving. Hispid hares are usually solitary, although members of the species have been seen in pairs. They are nocturnal animals that are most often seen by vehicle headlights. Hispid hares have shown no evidence of burrowing or nest building. The only physical evidence of C. hispidus activity are thatch cuttings and fecal deposits that are characteristic of the species. The cuttings and fecal deposits show resting and feeding locations, but may also have territorial significance. (Ghose, 1978; Massicot, 2003; Oliver, 1978; Oliver, 1980)

Other members of the family Leporidae are known to drum their hind feet when they are threatened, or to help define territories. (Nowak, 1999b)

Home Range

The mean home range of males is approximately 8,204 square meters, but for females it is only 2,786 square meters. (Nowak, 1999a)

Not much is known about the communication of C. hispidus. It is known that all rabbits and hares (members of the family Leoporidae) secrete scent from glands in the groin area and under the chin. The scent is apparently used in sexual communication. Many rabbits and hares use foot drumming as a means of communication. (MacDonald, 2001; Nowak, 1999b)

Because C. hispidus is a mammal, we can infer that they use some visual signals. Also, there is probably tactile communication between mates, as well as between mothers and their offspring, although most lagomorph mothers do not provide extensive parental care. (MacDonald, 2001; Nowak, 1999b)

C. hispidus is an herbivorous animal. The diet of C. hispidus consists mainly of bark, shoots and roots of grasses (including thatch species), and crops on occasion. Although hispid hares feed in a preferred locale (specific to each animal), they choose to feed in different sites within this locale. (Massicot, 2003; Oliver, 1978; Oliver, 1980)

There are no known anti-predator adaptations among C. hispidus. Dogs and humans are apparently the greatest predators of these hares. (Burton and Burton, 1988; Ghose, 1978; Massicot, 2003; Nowak, 1999a; Oliver, 1978)

This animal is believed to be prey for dogs as well as humans. Other information is unknown. (Burton and Burton, 1988; Ghose, 1978; Nowak, 1999a; Oliver, 1978)

Hispid hares are believed to be crop pests. (Nowak, 1999a)

Humans hunt these animals for food. (Ghose, 1978; Oliver, 1978; Oliver, 1980)

Hispid hares are one of the worlds rarest mammals. This animal was feared extinct in 1964, but in 1966, one was spotted. The range of this animal is much smaller than it once was. There were an estimated 110 hispid hares worldwide in 2001. Due to rapid habitat destruction, lack of success in captivity, and hunting, their numbers continue to shrink. As a result of their rarity, little is known about hispid hares. These animals are threatened mainly due to conversion of their habitat to agriculture and grassland burning. They are often confused with the more common Lepus nigricollis and are therefore hunted for food. They are also preyed on by dogs. (Burton and Burton, 1988; Ghose, 1978; Massicot, 2003; Nowak, 1999a; Nowak, 1999b; Oliver, 1978; Oliver, 1980)