Lepus capensis

Lepus capensis

The Cape hare also called the brown hare and the desert hare (Lepus capensis, Linnaeus 1758) is an animal species belonging to the Leporidae family.

Systematics –
Domain Eukaryota,
Kingdom Animalia,
Phylum Chordata,
Subphylum Vertebrata,
Class Mammalia,
Subclass Theria,
Infraclass Eutheria,
Superorder Euarchontoglires,
Order Lagomorpha,
Family Leporidae,
Genus Lepus,
Subgenus Eulagos,
Species L. capensis.
The following subspecies are recognized within this species:
– Lepus capensis capensis;
– Lepus capensis aquilo;
– Lepus capensis carpi;
– Lepus capensis granti;
– Lepus capensis aegyptius;
– Lepus capensis hawkeri
– Lepus capensis isabellinus;
– Lepus capensis sinaiticus;
– Lepus capensis arabicus;
– Lepus capensis atlanticus;
– Lepus capensis whitakeri;
– Lepus capensis schlumbergeri.

Geographic distribution and habitat –
The Lepus capensis is a lagomorph mammal belonging to the Leporidae family, native to Africa but with a very wide range that also extends to some regions of southern Europe and western, central, and southern Asia, excluding China. The species has also been introduced to Australia.
The taxonomic classification of the species is quite complex and still a matter of debate. The considerable genetic variability found among different populations has led some authors to propose a systematic revision of the group, with the elevation of some subspecies to the rank of species. The status of the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) also remains controversial, while the population present in Sardinia, known as the Sardinian hare (Lepus capensis mediterraneus), is closely related to the North African populations of Morocco and Tunisia; some scholars propose recognizing it as an independent species.
In Italy, the species is present exclusively in Sardinia, where it is believed to have been introduced from North Africa in prehistoric or historic times. For this reason, it is considered an alien species and is classified as Not Applicable (NA) on the Italian Red List.
The Cape hare inhabits a wide variety of environments, from temperate to tropical regions, both humid and arid, from sea level to approximately 4,000 meters above sea level. It generally prefers open spaces with herbaceous or herbaceous-shrub vegetation, such as meadows, pastures, and cultivated fields, often near scrub and thickets. However, it can also live in coastal environments, near lagoons, ponds, and beaches, as well as in desert areas. Further observations report the species’ presence in broadleaf forests, heathlands, and dunes, up to approximately 2,000 meters above sea level.
In Sardinia, the hare occupies virtually all habitats on the island, from plains to mountains, but reaches its highest densities in hilly areas characterized by a mosaic of small cultivated plots alternating with Mediterranean scrub and natural grasslands. Populations show a general decline compared to the past; however, in recent years, they have remained substantially stable, with generally low densities in areas open to hunting and higher densities in protected areas, where they can reach approximately 20-25 individuals per 100 hectares.

Description –
The European grey heron has a slender, slightly laterally compressed body, adapted for running and jumping. The head is relatively small but distinct from the body, the eyes are large and reddish-brown, and the ears, approximately 12–14 cm long, end in a distinctive black tip. The tail is moderately developed, bushy, and has a black upper surface. The hind limbs, much longer and more robust than the forelimbs, are the species’ primary locomotor adaptation.
Body size ranges from 480 to 700 mm in head-to-body length, with a 74–110 mm long tail and 110–160 mm hind feet; weight generally ranges from 2.5 to 6.5 kg. The fur is soft and predominantly grayish-tawny or brownish-tawny with blackish hues on the back, while the ventral regions and the inner surfaces of the limbs are whitish.

Biology –
The European red lepus is a predominantly nocturnal species, although in undisturbed areas it may leave its lair during the day. It generally lives solitary and sedentary, remaining within its territory. Its lair consists of a simple depression in the ground located in dry, sheltered areas, often hidden among bushes or rocks. This is changed periodically, and during the winter, it is dug deeper and placed in areas more exposed to the sun.
The morphological characteristics of its hind limbs make the species an excellent runner and jumper. It can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h and leap over two meters. In addition to running quickly and for long distances, it can swim when necessary and is even capable of climbing. Its hearing and sense of smell are particularly developed and are essential tools for identifying danger and food resources.
The species is strictly herbivorous and feeds exclusively on plants. Its diet varies considerably depending on environmental conditions and seasonal availability of resources; It includes fresh and dried grasses, seeds, beets, and, during periods of food scarcity, even tree bark.
Reproduction depends on environmental conditions. Generally, a female can give birth one to three or four times a year, with litters of one to seven young; in some populations, the reproductive season can extend throughout the year. Mating tends to be concentrated in the first half of the year and occurs primarily during the warmest hours of the day, while births are distributed mainly between March and October. Gestation lasts approximately 42 days.
At birth, the young weigh approximately 110-130 g, are completely covered in fur, have open eyes, and already have teeth. They are nursed for approximately three weeks, but already during this period they begin to feed on plants. At around one month of age, they are completely independent, while sexual maturity is reached between six and nine months. In the wild, the species generally lives for 4-6 years, although exceptionally it can reach 12-13 years.

Ecological role –
The European hare (Lepus capensis) is an important herbivore in open and Mediterranean ecosystems. Through its consumption of a wide variety of plant species, it contributes to the dynamics of natural vegetation and agricultural environments, adapting its diet to the resources available during the different seasons.
The species also constitutes a fundamental food source for numerous predators. Among the main predators are the fox, pine marten, beech marten, weasel, and wildcat, as well as numerous diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey. To reduce the risk of predation, the hare relies on its speed, the ability to make long leaps, camouflage through its coat coloration, and its highly developed hearing and sense of smell.
In Sardinia, populations are relatively low in density and require appropriate management and conservation measures. Priority interventions include the creation of a network of protected areas, sustainable hunting management, poaching control, reducing the impacts of human activities such as fires and pasture mowing, and improving habitat quality. The subspecies is also listed in Appendix III of the Bern Convention.
Finally, the notes highlight that repopulations carried out in Italy for hunting purposes have caused genetic pollution of native populations, resulting from the introduction of individuals from other countries, with possible repercussions on the conservation of the Sardinian hare’s original genetic characteristics.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Gordon Corbet, Denys Ovenden, 2012. A Guide to the Mammals of Europe. Franco Muzzio Editore.
– John Woodward, Kim Dennis-Bryan, 2018. The Great Encyclopedia of Animals. Gribaudo Editore.

Photo source:
– https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?view=GALLERY&taxonKey=6PPYS&entity=o_3947670812
– https://cdstar.eva.mpg.de/bitstreams/EAEA0-524F-489B-63D6-0/full.jpg