Amami rabbit conservation
Introduction
Known by his scientific name as Pentalagus Furnessi, Amami’s rabbit or short ears rabbit is a kind of lepóridos family lagomorph. Former inhabitant of the entire Asian continent, currently inhabits two small islands south of Japan. It is considered a living fossil, since it is one of the most primitive rabbits. Curiosities about Amami’s rabbit. It measures about 50 centimeters, and in their physique they quickly highlight their very small ears, less than 50 millimeters. Weigh about 2-3 kilos. His hair is brown, pulling reddish on the sides.
Developing
It is an animal of nocturnal habits and like most rabbits, it usually build burrows. Behavior and habitat. Amami’s rabbit lives in a very concrete climate to which he has had to adapt. It is a subtropical climate. Tends to stay more active at night, to feed mainly. Its burrows are usually located in small valleys covered with forest mass. And the food is looking for it at 100-200 meters around. It feeds on more than 29 plant species, especially young outbreaks and fruits.
Characteristics of the burrow. The entrance to the burrow is not always hidden from the vegetation, since, in the area where they live there is little weed. They are usually horizontal or slightly oblique, with between 10 and 20 centimeters high and 12-25 wide. And they are running until they reach the main camera, where they build a bed with tender leaves. In addition to the burrows underground, they can use trees as a refuge, hide under rocks, etc. How does Amami’s rabbit communicate? Amami’s rabbit has a fairly unique way of communicating.
Hits the ground with the rear extremities to talk to their peers and even to scare intruders. At sunset they appear at the entrance of the burrow and emit these noises and vocalizations, which can be heard throughout the valley. Amami rabbit conservation. Why do populations decrease? The populations of this little rabbit have not stopped decreasing in recent years: deforestation operations in the Japanese islands, have resulted in the reduction of the forest in which they inhabit 30 % since 1980.
On the other hand, the continuous invasions of the habitat by predators also influence the reduction of their populations. And finally, the introduction of the mushroom in these islands, has meant the disappearance of numerous wildlife species, including Amami’s rabbit. Conservation strategies. In search of a way to protect him, in 1921 Japan appointed Amami rabbit as natural heritage. And since then, his hunt has been prohibited. But this prohibition has not been accompanied by any measure in pursuit of the conservation of their habitat, so populations do not stop decreasing.
Amami’s rabbit is considered an endangered species in the IUCN red list. To be able to preserve this species and the whole ecosystem of the Japanese islands in which it lives, it is necessary to take urgent drastic measures. Measures destined, above all, to the control of predators, the introduction of exotic species such as mushrooms and habitat protection. The group of specialists in IUCN lagomorphs also proposes other techniques, such as populations monitoring programs.
conclusion
With these programs it is easier to know the dangers facing the rabbit, and thus put solution. Not to mention the need to eradicate the megosta of its distribution area, to protect the entire island ecosystem. Amami’s rabbit is a symbolic species of subtropical wet forests of the Amami-Oshima and Tokuno-Shima, south of Japan. And that is where the importance of its conservation and protection of the entire ecosystem lies. It is an evolutionary relic, a living fossil, and as such it must be preserved.
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