Broom Hare
Encyclopedia
The Broom Hare is a species of hare
endemic
to northern Spain
. It is restricted to the Cantabrian Mountains
in northern Spain between the Serra dos Ancares
and the Sierra de Peña Labra. This region is approximately 230 km (142.9 mi) from east to west and 25–40 km (15.5–24.9 mi) from north to south. It lives in mountains at heights almost 2000 m (6,561.7 ft) high, though descends during the winter to avoid the colder temperatures and snow
. The habitat is heathland, mainly Erica
, Calluna
, and Vaccinium
, with much shrub cover of Cytisus
, Genista
, and Juniperus. It also inhabits clearings in mixed deciduous forest of oak
and beech
.
The Broom Hare has a body length that ranges from 45 centimetre long. Its tail
will grow to lengths of 5–10 cm (2–3.9 in) long. Its front leg
s grow from 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) and the back legs can grow from 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) long. The ear
s can grow to be as long as 18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in). The fur of the Broom Hare is a mixture of brown, black and very little white on the upper part of the body. The underside of the body is all white. The top of the tail is black while the underside of the tail matches the body in being white. The ears are brownish-gray and are usually black tipped.
The species was only described as distinct in 1976; previously it had not been distinguished from the European Hare
. Little is known about the feeding, reproductive, or behavioural habits of the Broom Hare but it is believed to be similar to that of the European Hare.
. The major threat listed to the Broom Hare's status is hunting
. Hunting of the Broom Hare is excessive in many parts they inhabit, especially when the hares are isolated during the winter months.
Hare
Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets. Four species commonly known as types of hare are classified outside of Lepus: the hispid hare , and three species known as red rock hares .Hares are very fast-moving...
endemic
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
to northern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is restricted to the Cantabrian Mountains
Cantabrian Mountains
The Cantabrian Mountains or Cantabrian Range are one of the main systems of mountain ranges in Spain.They extend for more than approximately 180 miles across northern Spain, from the western limit of the Pyrenees to the edges of the Galician Massif close to Galicia, along the coast of the...
in northern Spain between the Serra dos Ancares
Serra dos Ancares
The Serra dos Ancares is a mountain range in north-west Spain, extending in a south-westerly direction from the western end of the Cantabrian Mountains in Asturias....
and the Sierra de Peña Labra. This region is approximately 230 km (142.9 mi) from east to west and 25–40 km (15.5–24.9 mi) from north to south. It lives in mountains at heights almost 2000 m (6,561.7 ft) high, though descends during the winter to avoid the colder temperatures and snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
. The habitat is heathland, mainly Erica
Erica
Erica ,the heaths or heathers, is a genus of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance....
, Calluna
Calluna
Calluna vulgaris is the sole species in the genus Calluna in the family Ericaceae. It is a low-growing perennial shrub growing to tall, or rarely to and taller, and is found widely in Europe and Asia Minor on acidic soils in open sunny situations and in moderate shade...
, and Vaccinium
Vaccinium
Vaccinium is a genus of shrubs or dwarf shrubs in the plant Family Ericaceae. The fruit of many species are eaten by humans and some are of commercial importance, including the cranberry, blueberry, bilberry or whortleberry, lingonberry or cowberry, and huckleberry...
, with much shrub cover of Cytisus
Cytisus
Cytisus is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It belongs to the subfamily Faboideae.-Selected species:* Cytisus arboreus DC.* Cytisus ardoini E.Fourn.* Cytisus baeticus Steud....
, Genista
Genista
Genista is a genus of legumes which includes many species of broom. Many of these brooms are notorious as noxious weeds.Species include:*Genista aetnensis - Mount Etna broom*Genista anglica - petty whin, needle furze*Genista canariensis...
, and Juniperus. It also inhabits clearings in mixed deciduous forest of oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
and beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
.
The Broom Hare has a body length that ranges from 45 centimetre long. Its tail
Tail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
will grow to lengths of 5–10 cm (2–3.9 in) long. Its front leg
Leg
Łęg may refer to the following places in Poland:*A former name for the town of Ełk *Part of the Czyżyny district of Kraków*Łęg, Pleszew County in Greater Poland Voivodeship...
s grow from 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) and the back legs can grow from 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) long. The ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
s can grow to be as long as 18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in). The fur of the Broom Hare is a mixture of brown, black and very little white on the upper part of the body. The underside of the body is all white. The top of the tail is black while the underside of the tail matches the body in being white. The ears are brownish-gray and are usually black tipped.
The species was only described as distinct in 1976; previously it had not been distinguished from the European Hare
European Hare
The European hare , also known as the brown hare, Eastern Jackrabbit and Eastern prairie hare, is a species of hare native to northern, central, and western Europe and western Asia. It is a mammal adapted to temperate open country. It is related to the similarly appearing rabbit, which is in the...
. Little is known about the feeding, reproductive, or behavioural habits of the Broom Hare but it is believed to be similar to that of the European Hare.
Human interaction and impact
The Broom Hare is listed on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species as vulnerableVulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
. The major threat listed to the Broom Hare's status is hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
. Hunting of the Broom Hare is excessive in many parts they inhabit, especially when the hares are isolated during the winter months.