Tolai hare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tolai hare |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Lepus
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| Species: |
tolai
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| Tolai hare range | |
The Tolai Hare (its scientific name is Lepus tolai) is a type of hare that lives in Central Asia, Mongolia, and parts of Northern and Central China. These hares like to live in places like semi-deserts, wide-open steppes, rocky areas, and even grassy forest meadows.
Tolai Hares are quite common. They can even be found in areas where many people live or work. This is because they can have babies very quickly! They are usually most active when the sun is going down and at night. But sometimes, you might see them hopping around during the day too.
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What Does a Tolai Hare Look Like?
The Tolai Hare is a medium-sized animal. Its body, from head to tail, can be about 40 to 59 centimeters (16 to 23 inches) long. Its tail is shorter, usually about 7 to 11 centimeters (3 to 4 inches) long.
Their fur color can be different depending on where they live. Usually, their upper body is a dull yellow, light brown, or sandy gray. They might have brownish or reddish stripes. Sometimes, their hip area can look more yellow or gray.
Their head has a light, hairless patch of skin around their eyes. This patch goes forward towards their nose and back to the base of their long ears. The tips of their ears are black. The fur on their belly and sides is pure white. Their tail has a wide black or brownish-black stripe on top.
Where Do Tolai Hares Live?
The Tolai Hare lives across central and eastern Asia. You can find them from the eastern side of the Caspian Sea all the way through eastern Iran, Afghanistan, and many other countries like Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Their home also stretches through southern Siberia and Mongolia, and into western, central, and northeastern China.
They love places that are semi-dry, like steppes, mountain steppes, and rocky areas. They also enjoy rough grasslands and forest grasslands. They prefer places with lots of bushes and shrubs where they can hide. Tolai Hares usually live at heights between 600 and 900 meters (about 2,000 to 3,000 feet) above sea level. However, one hare was once seen much higher up in Jammu and Kashmir!
Tolai Hare Life and Habits
The Tolai Hare is mostly active at night. They eat grasses, other green plants, and roots. Unlike some animals, they don't dig deep burrows. They only dig a shallow hole when they are having babies. Otherwise, they just scrape out a small dip in the ground to rest in. This resting spot is shallow when it's hot, but they dig it deeper when the weather is cold.
Tolai Hare Reproduction and Young
Tolai Hares can have babies two or three times each year. Each time, a mother hare can give birth to two to six young hares. This fast breeding rate helps them stay common even in busy areas.
Scientists have found signs that ancient people might have tried to tame Tolai Hares. This was found at a very old site called Yangjiesha in the Loess Plateau.
What is the Tolai Hare's Status?
The Tolai Hare lives in a very large area and is generally a common animal. People sometimes hunt them for their meat and skin. In Mongolia, parts of the hare are used in traditional medicine.
These hares live in many protected areas, which helps keep them safe. Because they are so common and widespread, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says that their conservation status is "least concern". This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
