Japanese Hare 3128015 207951412 2008-04-24T20:42:18Z Elf 40082 /* Reproduction */ dab litter {{Refimprove|date=November 2007}} {{Taxobox | name = Japanese Hare<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Hoffmann | pages = 196}}</ref> | status = LR/lc | status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{IUCN2006 | assessors = Lagomorph Specialist Group | year = 1996 | id = 41275 | title = Lepus brachyurus | downloaded = [[2006-06-12]]}} Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern</ref> | image = Japanese hare brown.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = A Japanese Hare in Brown Pelage | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Lagomorpha]] | familia = [[Leporidae]] | genus = ''[[Hare|Lepus]]'' | species = '''''L. brachyurus''''' | binomial = ''Lepus brachyurus'' | binomial_authority = [[Coenraad Jacob Temminck|Temminck]], 1845 }} The '''Japanese Hare''' (''Lepus brachyurus'') is an [[Asia]]n [[hare]]. ==Geographic range== The Japanese Hare is found on the continent of Asia. It is found primarily in 5 countries even though it is named for one. The Japanese Hare is found in [[Japan]], [[China]], [[North Korea]], [[South Korea]], and [[Russia]]. ==Habitat== The Japanese Hare is mostly found in mountains or hilly areas in the places they inhabit. These are the areas that it prefers to live in. It also inhabits [[forest]]s or brushy areas. Due to human encroachment though, this hare has thrived in and around urban environments, so much so that it has become a nuisance in some places. ==Physical description== The Japanese Hare has a body length that ranges from 12 to 18 inches long. Its tail will grow to lengths of 1 3 inches long. Its front legs grow from 4 to 6 inches and the back legs can grow from 6 inches to 8 inches long. The Japanese Hare's ears grow to be about 2 inches long when fully grown. The Japanese Hare is one of the many [[mammal]]s that change the color of the [[fur]] according to the [[season]]. Although all Japanese Hares do not change their fur color, those that live in varying [[climate]] conditions do. <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Japanese hare white.jpg|right|thumb|A Japanese Hare in white pelage]] --> ==Reproduction== The [[litter (animal)|litter]] size of the Japanese Hare varies from 1 to 6. The age of maturity is uncertain, but [[female]]s probably breed within a year of birth. [[Reproduction|Breeding]] continues year round. Several litters are born each year, each of which contain 2-4 individuals. [[Mating]] is promiscuous; males chase females, and box to repel rivals. ==Behavior== The Japanese Hare, like most hares and rabbits, is [[nocturnal]] and feeds mainly in the evening and early morning. It is silent except when it is in distress and gives out a call for the distress. It can and will occupy burrows sometimes. It is a solitary animal except during mating season when males and females will gather for breeding. ==Food== Vegetation found in and around its habitat is where the Japanese Hare gets most of its nutrients. Grasses, shrubs, and bushes are all eaten by the hare. The Japanese Hare is one of the few hares that will eat the bark off of trees and it does so occasionally which can cause major damage to trees and forests. ==Human interaction and impact== The Japanese Hare populations seem to be stable. It is so stable in some place that it has become a nuisance animal in the regions that it inhabits. It is hunted in certain regions for food, fur, pelts, and to help curb its growing numbers in the places it lives in. ==Subspecies== There are four subspecies of this hare: *''Lepus brachyurus brachyurus'' *''Lepus brachyurus angustidens'' *''Lepus brachyurus lyoni'' *''Lepus brachyurus okiensis'' ==References== {{reflist}} {{Lagomorpha|L.}} [[Category:Lepus]] [[Category:Mammals of Asia]] [[ca:Lepus brachyurus]] [[ja:ニホンノウサギ]]