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Hare (khargosh) a long-legged herbivorous mammal
of the family Leporidae (which also includes rabbits), order Lagomorpha.
They move by jumping rather than by running. In contrast to rabbits (there
are no rabbits in Bangladesh), hares are typically solitary, produce young
that are fully furred and active at birth, and live in shallow surface
depressions.
Rabbits live socially in burrows and give birth to undeveloped
young. Worldwide there are about 44 species of rabbits and hares.
Bangladesh has two species of hares. The hares are adapted for
high-speed escape from predators - in full flight they can reach
up to 80 km/h.
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Refous-tailed Hare |
lso known as Indian Hare, the Rufous-tailed Hare Lepus
nigricollis is an endangered species in Bangladesh. Hind limbs of
this hare are longer than the forelimbs; its eyes are large, ears long,
and tail short. The large ears aid the detection of predators, especially
when the head is lowered while grazing, and also provide a large surface
area for losing heat in warmer climates. Body colour is greyish yellow
to rufous-brown, occasionally washed with black; limbs and breast are
yellowish; remaining under-parts, face, neck and under-side of tail are
whitish; there is a rufous patch on the dorsal side of the tail. Body
length, including the head, is about 50 cm; tail is with hairs and is
about 10 cm; ears are about 13 cm in length. Males are larger than the
females.
The hare is usually nocturnal, it is a solitary animal,
or may live in small groups. A common refuge in flight is a foxhole or
similar burrows. Female hares deliver one or two young at a time, around
October-November. The species is widely distributed in the country. Habitat
loss and hunting are major threats. Common enemies are foxes, mongooses,
wild cats and even domestic dogs. Hare is also found in Pakistan, India,
Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. Another species, the Hispid Hare (also known
as Assam Rabbit), Caprolagus hispidus occurs in the Garo Hills.
It is a globally endangered species. Its present status in Bangladesh
is not certain.
[Md Anwarul Islam]
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