Indian Hare
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Lepus nigricollis
Population size
Unknown
Top speed
80
50
km/hmph
km/h mph 
Weight
1.4-7
3-15.4
kglbs
kg lbs 
Length
40-70
15.7-27.6
cminch
cm inch 

The Indian hare (Lepus nigricollis) is a common species of hare. They are herbivores and live solitarily. Hairs nest in slight depressions called forms, and their young are able to fend for themselves shortly after birth.

Cr

Crepuscular

Co

Coprophage

He

Herbivore

Gr

Graminivore

Te

Terrestrial

Vi

Viviparous

Pr

Precocial

Ju

Jumping

Po

Polygyny

So

Solitary

No

Not a migrant

I

starts with

Appearance

The Indian hare is generally brown and black scattered all over its body. There is a black patch around its neck. The underparts of the hare are white and the top of the tail is black. The Indian hare has long ears to dissipate body heat and powerful hind feet covered with fur.

Distribution

Geography

This species is native to the Indian subcontinent and Java. They inhabit short grasslands, cultivated areas, and forests.

Indian Hare habitat map

Climate zones

Indian Hare habitat map
Indian Hare

Habits and Lifestyle

Indian hares are shy solitary animals. They are crepuscular and during the day usually sleep in shallow depression or flattened nest of grass called a form. Hares are fast animals and can run up to 80 km/h (50 mph) over short distances.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Indian hares are herbivores (graminivores). They mainly feed on various grasses and also practice coprophagy.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round, peak in February-October
PREGNANCY DURATION
41-47 days
BABY CARRYING
1-8 leverets
FEMALE NAME
doe
MALE NAME
buck
BABY NAME
leveret

Indian hares are polygynous meaning that males mate with multiple females during the breeding season. They breed throughout the year but the peak usually occurs between February and October. During this time males become aggressive and fight with other males; this behavior is called "boxing" where one hare strikes another with its paws. After the gestation period of 41-47 days, the female gives birth to a litter of 1-8 young, called leverets. The young are born well-furred and with open eyes. The female usually nurses her young for about 2-3 weeks. Indian hares become reproductively mature and start to breed when they are 1 year old.

Population

Population threats

The main threats to this species include the loss of their native habitat mainly due to agricultural expansion. They are also hunted by locals for their meat.

Population number

According to IUCN Red List, the Indian hare is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

References

1. Indian hare Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_hare
2. Indian hare on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41282/45188041

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