What kind of animal is the Japanese hare? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. As the name suggests, it is a hare and can be seen in most areas of Japan, making it a fairly famous rabbit. However, some species have been designated as endangered species, so they are in need of protection.
What is a Japanese hare? About basic status
The Japanese hare is a rabbit classified in the Lagomorpha (Lagomorpha) family and Lagomorpha family. The scientific name is Lepus brachyurus and the kanji is Japanese hare. The body length is 40-50 cm and the weight is 1-2 kg. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | ニホンノウサギ |
| English（英名） | Japanese hare |
| scientific name(学名) | Lepus brachyurus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Lagomorpha、 Leporidae、Lepus 哺乳綱、ウサギ目、ウサギ科、ノウサギ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 40-50cm |
| Weight（体重） | 1-2kg |
About classification
The Japanese hare has the following subspecies: There are endemic rabbit species not only on Honshu, but also on Sado Island and the Oki Islands.
- L. b. brachyurus キュウシュウノウサギ
- L. b. angustidens トウホクノウサギ
- L. b. lyoni サドノウサギ
- L. b. okiensis オキノウサギ
classification
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界（Animalia） |
| 門 | 脊索動物門（Chordata） |
| 綱 | 哺乳綱（Mammalia） |
| 目 | ウサギ目（Lagomorpha） |
| 科 | ウサギ科（Leporidae） |
| 属 | ノウサギ属（Lepus） |
| 種 | ニホンノウサギ（Lepus brachyurus） |
About habitat
The Japanese hare is distributed mainly in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan. The creatures are also managed at the zoo and can be seen in information about events.
- Distribution in Japan
Widely distributed across Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu
Not naturally distributed in Hokkaido (the Hokkaido rabbit is also found there)
Subspecies exist on remote islands such as the Oki Islands
- Habitat
The Japanese hare has adapted to a variety of environments, not just forests.
Forests and forest edges
Secondary forests, bamboo groves, deciduous broadleaf forests, etc.
Farmland and satoyama (satoyama)
Commonly found in the grassy areas around rice paddies and fields
Grasslands and riverbanks
Areas with abundant food and relatively few predators
- Altitude and Climate
Flatlands to mountainous areas (altitudes up to approximately 200-1500m)
Adapted to seasonal changes
Brownish fur provides camouflage in summer
May turn whitish in winter in snow-covered areas
- Habitat adaptations through distinctive behavior
Rests in brush, rock shade, or thickets during the day
Active at night, feeding on grass and young shoots
Travels short distances and has a territorial lifestyle
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The Japanese hare has brown fur all over its body, and white fur on its abdomen. Populations that live in snow-covered areas on the Sea of Japan side have white fur all over their bodies in winter. The appearance differs depending on the species. Japanese hares live mainly in grasslands and forests, and are often solitary. During the day, they hide and protect themselves from natural predators by resting in bushes or at the base of trees, so they are primarily nocturnal rabbits. Rabbits live in holes.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Length: Approximately 40-55cm
Weight: Approximately 1.5-3kg
Coat Color: Varies with Season
Summer: Brown to Yellowish Brown
Winter: May change to pale white or gray in snowy areas
Ears: Relatively short, with black tips
Tail: Small and white
Legs: Long hind legs, adapted for quick jumping
- Behavior/Habits
Nocturnal
Rests in bushes, thickets, or under rocks during the day
Active at night, searching for food
Diet
Herbivore: Feeds on grass, bark, buds, seeds, etc.
Changes diet depending on the season
Locomotion/Movement
High jumping ability, quickly flees when threatened
Jumping distances can reach several meters
- Breeding and Rearing
Breeding Season: Spring to Autumn (April to October)
Gestation Period: Approximately 40 Days
Baby Rabbits
Births: 1 to 4 pups per litter
Baby rabbits are born with fur and their eyes are open (they are hidden in burrows)
They begin foraging on their own within a few weeks
- Natural Predators and Defense
Natural Predators: Hawks, owls, foxes, dogs, and cats
Defense Methods
Hiding in bushes
Quickly leaping to escape
Fur color blends in with the surrounding environment (protective coloration)
What is your personality like?
Japanese hares are generally considered to be gentle, but they also have a nervous side, and are very cautious due to the risk of being attacked by natural enemies.
- Basic Personality
Timid and cautious
Due to their numerous natural predators, they are always cautious of their surroundings
Highly reactive to the presence of humans, dogs, cats, etc.
Highly independent
Typically solitary
May exhibit territorial behavior
- Sociality
Rarely found in groups
Generally solitary
Except for breeding season and parent-child interactions, they rarely interact with other individuals
Parent-child relationships
Baby rabbits become very independent soon after birth
Mothers raise their young for several weeks, but do not interact with them for long periods
- Activity and Personality Characteristics
Nocturnal and cautious
Resting motionlessly in bushes or under rocks during the day
Foraging and moving at night
Curious, but reserved
Wary of new environments and sounds
Once they determine it is safe, they will graze and move about
- Defensive instinct
Escape is their number one priority
If they encounter a predator, they will quickly leap away.
They have high jumping ability, allowing them to escape over obstacles.
They use camouflage to hide.
Their brown or gray body coloring allows them to easily blend in with the surrounding grass and soil.
What does the ecology look like?
Japanese hares are herbivores, subsisting on grass, leaves, buds, bark, etc. The reproductive form is viviparous and the gestation period is 40 days. They can give birth to 1 to 4 cubs at a time, and the young can move around a week after birth and become independent within a month. Sexual maturity can occur in 8-10 months. The lifespan is said to be less than 5 years.
- Diet/Foraging
Primarily herbivorous
Eats grass, young shoots, bark, buds, vegetables, and seeds.
Seasonal diet changes
Spring to summer: Grass and young shoots
Autumn to winter: Bark and dry plants
Foraging behavior
Forages primarily at night (nocturnal)
Rests in bushes, rocks, or grass patches during the day
- Activity patterns
Nocturnal: Active from dusk to night
Daytime hiding: Rests in bushes or rocks to protect themselves from predators
Movement: Moves by quick hops over short distances
Jumping distances can reach several meters or more
Mostly stays within their territory
- Breeding and Rearing
Breeding Season: Spring to Autumn (April to October)
Gestation Period: Approximately 40 Days
Birthing
Approximately 1-4 babies per litter
Baby rabbits are born with fur and eyes open.
Rearing
The mother raises them in a den for several weeks.
They quickly become independent and quickly become independent.
- Sociality
Generally solitary.
Except during breeding season and during parent-child interactions, they rarely interact with other rabbits.
Other rabbits may be active nearby at night.
Are there any natural enemies?
Japanese hares are full of natural enemies, including dogs, cats, foxes, weasels, and even bears.
About Japanese Hare Babies
This article provides a detailed summary of Japanese hare (Lepus brachyurus) baby rabbits.
- Birth and Early Characteristics
Birth Pattern
Japanese hare rabbits are “temporary nest-raising” types, born in burrows.
They often hide alone in grass or small depressions.
Physical Characteristics
They are born with fur and eyes open (a “mesociliate” type with a rich fur cover).
Ears are short and easily movable.
Weight
Approximately 100-150g
- Behavior and Lifestyle
Early Activity
They can walk immediately after birth and move around the nest.
The mother does not visit the burrow frequently, often only to nurse.
Independence
They begin to practice grazing within a few days to a week of birth.
They are able to forage almost independently by 2-3 weeks.
- Growth Process
Postnatal Period: Characteristics and Behavior: Immediately after birth, they grow fur and their eyes are open. They begin to eat grass little by little during the first week or two while nursing from their mother. They can forage independently for about two to three weeks, wandering around the burrow. They can move around without their mother’s protection for about a month, growing rapidly and becoming capable of moving within roughly the same range as their parents.
- Defensive Instinct
Highly cautious
Even young ones will quickly jump away from predators.
They protect themselves by hiding in bushes and grass.
Is the Japanese hare an endangered species?
Japanese hares can be caught in traps and overhunted for food and for their fur. Due to this, the population of the subspecies Sadono hare has decreased, and it is designated as near-threatened in Niigata Prefecture’s Red Data Book. The Kyushu hare is also protected as an endangered species in Saitama and Yamaguchi prefectures.
- Conservation Status
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List:
Rating: Least Concern (LC)
Reason: Wide distribution and stable population
Status in Japan:
Widely distributed across Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu
Adapted to satoyama, farmland, and forests
No special conservation measures are currently needed
- Reasons for Stability
Highly Adaptable to Environment
Can live in forests, grasslands, farmland, and satoyama
Herbivorous, almost omnivorous
Can survive by feeding on grasses, tree buds, and bark seasonally
Highly Reproductive
Can breed several times a year, making it resistant to population decline
- Caution
Localized declines in populations due to forest development and pesticides
As a wild animal, it can be affected by predators (hawks, owls, foxes, dogs, and cats) and human activity
Can Japanese hares be kept as pets?
Japanese hares are managed under the Wildlife Protection and Management Act, and breeding is possible only if the animals are provided or obtained with a hunting permit based on hunting qualifications and permits. Wild rabbits are found in nature.
need a cage
Rabbits need cages. Make sure you have materials that are safe for chewing, and a set that includes a drinking bowl, toilet, and chewing tree. If you don’t make it as large as possible, your rabbit will feel cramped and stressed. You can get it for around 10,000 to 15,000 yen.
chewable toys
Chewing toys are a must for rabbits. Rabbits’ teeth continue to grow, so if they don’t chew, their teeth will grow too long and they won’t be able to eat.
rabbit food
We recommend special pet food for rabbits. I have also introduced the following articles, so I hope you find them helpful.
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