Broom hare
The Castroviejo - hare or broom hare ( Lepus castroviejoi ) is a mammal of the family of hares ( Leporidae ). It was only in 1977 described as a separate species. The Castroviejo rabbit is endemic to Spain and lived there only a small area in the northwest. The IUCN classified the species as endangered ( "vulnerable ").
Mark
The Castroviejo bunny is slightly smaller and lighter than the similar Hare. The head-body length is 490-520 mm, tail length 70-96 mm, the length of the hind foot 135-145 mm and the ear length of 91-95 mm. The animals weigh 2.0-3.5 kg. The coat is longhaired, the guard hairs are curved. Compared with the hare 's fur is yellowish brown on the upper side more and white coloration of the underside is more extensive. At the top is a light stripe runs from the eye to the throat.
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to a about 5000 km ² large area in northwestern Spain. The distribution area extends in the Cantabrian Mountains in east-west direction for about 230 km and from north to south about 25-40 km. In the summer Castroviejo rabbits inhabit preferred heathlands in 1300 to 1900 meters above sea level, are covered among others with heather, gorse and juniper. However, the species occurs also in clearings in deciduous forest and fire on fresh surfaces. Search In winter the animals deeper areas up to 1000 m height, probably mainly to avoid the snow. Overall, the colonized habitats and thus probably also the distribution of the species are highly fragmented.
Way of life
Over the life of this type, little is known action space, population density and food preferences but probably largely correspond to those of hares in appropriate habitats. About the propagation Nothing is known.
Inventory and risk
Because of its small distribution area, probably the dissected into numerous individual populations occurrence and still continued hunting of the hare - Castroviejo by the IUCN as endangered ( " vulnerable" ) is listed.