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Pronolagus rupestris

Order: Lagomorpha > Family: Leporidae > Genus: Pronolagus > Species: Pronolagus rupestris

Type Description

Smith, A. 1833-1834. An epitome of African Zoology; or, a concise description of the objects of the animal Kingdom inhabiting Africa, its islands and seas. South African Quarterly Journal, 2:16-32, 49-64, 81-96, 113-128, 145-160, 169-192, 209-224, 233-248.

Type Locality

'South Africa, rocky situations' [probably Van Rhynsdorp District, Western Cape Prov., South Africa].

Measurements

Head and body: 350-495 mm
Tail length: 40-75 mm
Hindfoot length: 75-100 mm
Ear length: 60-100 mm
Weight: 2-2.5 kg

Description

The relatively short hindfeet and ears and the reddish tail distinguish this rabbit from Lepus.

Distribution

Found only in stony country where the bush is dense and intermingled with grass and rocks, Pronolagus rupestris is distributed from Namibia and South Africa in the south up through suitable countryside into Zimbabwe, Malawi Tanzania and southern Kenya. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997)

Key References

1. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Hares and Rodents). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2B:358-360.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 157-158.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1720, 1723.