Identification:
Physical Characteristics:
- Size: Medium.
- Coat: The body is covered in long, fine black hairs interspersed with hairs with a yellowish-brown tip.
- Dorsal Surface: Yellowish-brown with faint black spots.
- Flanks: Lighter in color due to a reduced number of black hairs.
- Head: The cheeks are dark brown. The nape extends behind the ears and around the eyes, displaying a pale tawny color.
- Forelimbs: The outer surface of the forelimbs is yellowish-brown, similar to the flanks.
- Hindlimbs: The outer surface of the hindlimbs is dark, like the rump.
- Underparts: The area from the chin to the chest is pale white, tinged with yellowish-brown. The abdomen and the inner surface of the hindlimbs are white, slightly tinged with brown.
- Ears: The ears are quite developed; the upper part of the back of the ears has short, fine black hairs.
- Tail: The tail is short, with long, fine hairs. The upper side of the tail is the same color as the back, and the underside is lighter.
- Sexual Dimorphism: Males are larger than females.
Biology and Ecology:
- Habitat: Inhabits ecotones, the transitional zones between farmland, grassy hills, and scrub savannas.
- Nests: Constructs simple nests made of grass, dry leaves, and small twigs under dense bushes.
- Diet: Primarily grass, leaves, water spinach, and sweet potato vines.
- Reproduction: Breeds in multiple litters per year during the spring and autumn, approximately every two months. Each litter typically contains 2-4 offspring.
Distribution:
- Vietnam:
- Historical: Before 1990, found in Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh provinces.
- Current: Currently only found in Lang Son province.
- World: Southwestern China.
Value:
- This is a rare species with a restricted distribution, valuable for scientific study.
- The meat was once highly prized as food.
- Its fine and beautiful fur can be used in the leather and fur industry.
Conservation Status:
- Historical: Before 1975, distributed in Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh provinces. Today, the rabbit is recorded in many districts of Lang Son province with varying levels of abundance.
- Current Trends: Habitat fragmentation and decline. The population has declined by at least 50% in recent years due to hunting, habitat degradation, and habitat loss. Exploitation levels dropped from 1000 individuals in the 1990s to 400-500 individuals currently. The area of distribution is restricted and continuously decreasing. Habitat area has decreased from 20,000 km² to < 500 km².
Assessment:
EN A1c,d B2a,b,c+3a,b,c,d
Conservation Measures:
- Listed in the Vietnam Red Book.
- Efforts to discover the remaining populations of the Chinese hare in Cao Bang and Quang Ninh.
- Research to propose protected areas.
- Strictly prohibit the hunting of Chinese hares.