Indian hare
{{Short description|Species of mammal}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Indian hare
| status = LC
| image = Indian hare by N A Nazeer.jpg
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Lepus
| species = nigricollis{{MSW3 Hoffmann | pages = 201}}
| authority = F. Cuvier, 1823
| range_map = Indian Hare area.png
| range_map_caption = Indian hare range
(green – native, red – introduced, dark grey – origin uncertain)
}}
The Indian hare (Lepus nigricollis), also known as the black-naped hare, is a common species of hare native to the Indian subcontinent,{{cite journal | author = Suchentrunk, F | author2 = Mihajla Davidovic | name-list-style = amp | year = 2004 | title = Evaluation of the classification of Indian hares (Lepus nigricollis) into the genus Indolagus Gureev, 1953 (Leporidae, Lagomorpha) | journal = Mammalian Biology | volume = 69 | issue = 1 | pages = 46–57 | url = http://www.vu-wien.ac.at/i128/pub/mamm_biol/suchentrunk%20davidovic%2069-2004.pdf | doi = 10.1078/1616-5047-115 | bibcode = 2004MamBi..69...46S | access-date = 2006-06-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202804/http://www.vu-wien.ac.at/i128/pub/mamm_biol/suchentrunk%20davidovic%2069-2004.pdf | archive-date = 2016-03-03 | url-status = dead }} and Java. Its habitat in Java is in rocky highlands.
Description
The Indian hare is of medium size compared to other hares. Towards the southern parts of its range, individuals are notably larger. Its fur color is a mix of black and rufous, with the rufous color being especially present on the legs and breast of the hare. The hare's underside, including that of its tail, is white. The tail is brown on top. It has a head and body length of {{cvt|33 to 53|cm}}, {{Convert|8 to 12|cm|abbr=on}}-long ears, large, well-furred hind feet that measure from {{Convert|8.5 to 11.5|cm|abbr=on}}, and a rather long tail of about {{Convert|6.4|cm}}. Adults can weigh up to {{cvt|3.6|kg}}, and may weigh as little as {{cvt|1.8|kg}}.{{Lagomorphs2018|chapter=Lepus nigricollis (F. Cuvier, 1823) Indian hare|last1=Molur|first1=Sanjay|last2=Nameer|first2=P. O.|pages=201}}
The subspecies of Indian hare may display some distinguishing features. The nominate subspecies, L. n. nigricollis, has a black rather than brown tail, and the back of its neck has a distinctive black patch of fur. The fur of L. n. dayanus is paler, tending towards yellow. L. n. ruficaudatus is very similar to L. n. nigricollis, but the tail and neck patch are rufous and dark brown rather than black.
Distribution and habitat
The Indian hare inhabits open grassy areas, cultivated plains, semi-arid and arid plains, and hills throughout the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
Behaviour and ecology
Its activity pattern has been defined as crepuscular and nocturnal.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
Introductions
It has been introduced to Madagascar, Comoro Islands, Andaman Islands, Western New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Mayotte, Mauritius and Réunion.{{cite book |author=Long, J.L. |year=2003 |title=Introduced Mammals of the World: Their History, Distribution and Influence |location=Cambridge |publisher=Cabi Publishing |isbn=9780851997483 |doi=10.1071/9780643090156}}
Taxonomy
There are seven recognized subspecies of Indian hare.
- Lepus nigricollis aryabertensis
- Lepus nigricollis dayanus
- Lepus nigricollis nigricollis
- Lepus nigricollis ruficaudatus
- Lepus nigricollis sadiya
- Lepus nigricollis simcoxi
- Lepus nigricollis singhala
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Lagomorpha|L.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1467662}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:hare, Indian}}