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EUROPEAN RABBIT Oryctolagus cuniculus
Identification The European Rabbit is the ancestor of domestic rabbits
and has the same form, with longish ears (shorter than those of hares).
The fur is soft and a grizzled grey-brown, the nape is reddish-buff and
the short tail is white below and brown-black above. The underparts
are buffy-white and the undersides of the feet are haired.
Size Total length 39–50 cm.
Weight 1 .3–2.2 kg.
Habitat and Behaviour European Rabbits show a preference for sandy
soils in rolling to hilly terrain, often with patches of good plant cover.
They dig complex burrow systems or warrens, and live in colonies.
They are mainly nocturnal, but not infrequently seen during the day
as they often bask in the sun. A female may have several litters in a
season, each with 5–6 (up to 9) pups.
Distribution and Status This species occurs on the Mediterranean
coastal plain and adjacent hills from Morocco to Tunisia. Some
authorities believe that it occurs here naturally, but others think it
may have been introduced from Spain.
HARES Lepus spp.
Three hare species are recognized across the region, although they
involve taxonomic controversies. All are similar in appearance,
with very long ears, short (7–14 cm) black and white tail, very long
back legs and soft, dense fur. The overall coloration is variable, but
the upperparts are grizzled grey-brown and in desert areas often
very pale; the underparts are at least partly white, and a reddish-
buffy nape patch is often present. Distribution is often the best
identification criterion for species recognition. These species have a
total body length of 45–70 cm and weigh 1.2–4.5 kg.