BLACK NAPED HARE Or INDIAN HARE
Scientific name: Lepus Nigricollis
Indian Hare also called as Black Naped Hare is commonly seen throughout the Indian Sub continent along with the neighboring regions.
There are 7 sub species of the Indian hare found in the country.
Indian hare can be found in various habitats like the Grasslands, Scrub lands, Barren areas as well as farmlands and agricultural areas along with forest areas. These hares are also seen in mangrove ecosystem and wetlands.
Indian hares weigh around 1.5 to 7 kgs and average length is about 40-70cms. The coloration varies from beige, brown, black. The underparts are covered in white. They have long ears and large hind feet. They have a black patch on their neck which gives them the name – the Black Naped Hare. The body is very well covered in fur. Females are usually larger than the males. The hares reach their Sexual Maturity almost after 1 year of their birth.
Mating system is polygynous and the mating season is usually throughout the year but the peak season is during monsoons. During mating season, the hares become aggressive and males try to mate with as many females as possible. Males usually show their dominance by fighting with their fore paws and boxing with the hindpaws. The gestation period is for 41-47 days. A litter of 1-4 young ones are born at a time.
The lifespan in the wild of the Indian hare is about 5-7 years. These hares usually sleep during the day and are active during the night. They are primarily diurnal and solitary in nature. Diet is herbivorous. It feeds on varied vegetation including short grasses, flowering plants, germinating seeds and crops.
Indian hare is listed as Least Concerned by IUCN.