Greater red rock hare
The Natal red rock hare or greater red rock hare (Pronolagus crassicaudatus ) is a species of mammal in the family Leporidae (rabbits and hares). It has a slightly grizzled, grayish brown head and reddish brown upperparts. The dense fur is thick and rougher than other rock hares. It is endemic to Africa, and found in southeastern provinces of South Africa (Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal), eastern Lesotho, Eswatini (Highveld and Lumbobo), and southern Mozambique (Maputo Province). It is a herbivore, primarily feeding on grass. It breeds throughout the year, and one or two pups are usually born in the summer. It is rated as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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GraminivoreIn zoology, a graminivore (not to be confused with a granivore) is an herbivorous animal that feeds primarily on grass. Graminivory is a form of g...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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starts withThe Natal red rock hare is a large rabbit, measuring 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 in) in length, having a 3.5 to 11 cm (1.4 to 4.3 in) long, bright reddish brown tail lighter in tone than other members of the genus, and weighing 2.4 to 3 kg (5.3 to 6.6 lb). It has a slightly grizzled, grayish brown head with gray or grayish white lower cheeks and chin, and a grayish white band running laterally along the jaw edge up to the nuchal patch. It has grizzled, brown dorsal pelage flecked with black, and pale reddish brown ventral pelage with non-uniform white patches and streaks. The flanks are paler than the dorsal fur and have fewer hairs, which feature black tips. The upperparts and gular collar are reddish brown in color, in contrast with the color of the chest and throat. The underparts are grayish, grizzled with rufous fur. The ears are short, measuring 7.5 to 8.5 cm (3.0 to 3.3 in) in length, sparsely furred, and are gray on the inner surface and whitish gray on the outer surface. The nuchal patch is brown to gray in color, and the rump is bright reddish brown. It has gray underfur. The feet pads are reddish brown, and the forelimbs and hindlimbs are a dull reddish brown. The dense fur is thick and rougher than other rock hares. The flesh is reported to have an odor comparable to urine.
It is similar to the Hewitt's red rock hare (P. saunderside ), which is shorter, has shorter ears, and a longer tail.
The Natal red rock hare is endemic to southern Africa; it is present in southeastern provinces of South Africa (Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal), eastern Lesotho, Eswatini (Highveld and Lumbobo), and southern Mozambique (Maputo Province). It lives in steep, rocky terrain like cliffs, hillsides with scattered rocks and boulders, stone outcrops, and rocky gorges with edible grass. It takes refuge in tussock grasses or low, dense vegetation. It is found at heights of up to 1,550 metres (5,090 ft) above sea level.
The Natal red rock hare lives in small colonies consisting of a few hares. It is a nocturnal species, and hides in creeks or under rocks, boulders, or dense grass during the day. It is a herbivore, and feeds on grass, especially young grass, weeds, and herbs. As it obtains moisture from dew and from food, it is independent of water, but it drinks any available water. It travels to higher elevations at night to forage on grasses. It has a good, 360 degree vision, sense of smell, and hearing. On erecting its ears, a network of veins on the inner surface radiate heat to reduce the body temperature. The breeding period continues throughout the year. The nest is lined with plant material and female fur. After a gestation period of one month one or two pups weighing 70 to 100 g (2.5 to 3.5 oz) are usually born in the summer. It produces grunting calls while contacting with other members of the species, and produces shrill screams and cries when alarmed. It is known to fight through bites and kicks with the hindfeet when caught. It can live up to an age of five years.
Its predators include all larger carnivores such as leopards, caracals, African wildcats, snakes, and birds of prey.
Since 1996, the Natal red rock hare has been rated as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. This is because it is widespread, having a large range—more than 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 sq mi)—and although its range and population are decreasing, the number of mature individuals in the wild is above 10,000. It is abundant within its range in provincial parks, national parks, and wildlife refugees, and is also protected by Provincial Nature Conservation agencies seasonally, as a game species.
Human activities such as encroachment of settlements, agriculture, and hunting in rural areas poses a threat to the Natal red rock hare, due to which its population is decreasing. Since the 1900s, more than 21% to 50% of its habitat has been destroyed, which is predicted to remain between 21% and 50% till 2022, decreasing its population by 20% or more by then.
