Where does the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit live?

Where does the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit live?

The pygmy rabbit’s historical range includes portions of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, California, Nevada, and Utah. Based on fossil evidence and genetic analysis, the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit in Washington became genetically isolated at least 10,000 years ago.

Do pygmy rabbits migrate?

Distribution continues west to southern Idaho and southern Oregon and south to northern Utah, northern Nevada, and eastern California. The elevational range of pygmy rabbits in Nevada extends from 1,370–2,135 meters (4,495–7,005 ft) and in California from 1,520–1,615 meters (4,987–5,299 ft).

Where do pygmy rabbits live in Washington State?

Pygmy rabbits inhabit sagebrush-dominated areas of the Great Basin in portions of Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. The Washington population has been isolated from the remainder of the species’ range for at least 10,000 years, and possibly as long as 40,000 to 115,000 years.

Can you keep a pygmy rabbit?

Since 1990, conservationists have been fighting to keep this breed in existence. Leave the Pygmy rabbit-keeping to the pros. This animal should not be kept as a pet. They are made to be wild and will not make good pets because of their specific needs and their temperaments.

Where do pygmy rabbits live in the desert?

They live in the desert and grassland biomes of the unites states.They live in dry regions where there is much tall sagebrush and places for shelter. They often find shelter and food in the sagebrush that surrounds them. Button Text. They also find shelter by making burrows or using uninhabited burrows.

What kind of food does a pygmy rabbit eat?

Their diet in the winter consists of up to 99 percent sagebrush. The pygmy rabbit is believed to be one of only two Leporids in Northern America that digs its own burrows. Pygmy rabbit burrows are typically found in relatively deep, loose soils of wind-borne or water-born origin.

How long does a pygmy rabbit live for?

Status: Columbia Basin Distinct Population Segment in Washington State protected as Endangered The pygmy rabbit is the smallest species of rabbit in North America. They are shorter than one foot in length and typically live for three to five years.

When does a pygmy Bunny have a litter?

Pygmy rabbits mate in the spring and summer months, with a litter born around June or July. Their litters are between 4-8 bunnies. When these bunnies are born, the mother bunny covers them up in a shallow burrow of her own making.

What are pygmy rabbits food source?

The pygmy rabbit is an herbivore, a plant eater. The main food source is sagebrush, but some grasses and forbs may also be eaten in summer. Breeding occurs in spring and early summer. The gestation period is 27 – 30 days and six young may be born.

What are pygmy rabbits predators?

Weasels (Mustela spp.) are the principal predators of pygmy rabbits. Coyotes ( Canis latrans ), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), badgers, bobcats ( Felis rufus ), great horned owls ( Bubo virginianus ) and northern harriers (Circus hudsonius) also prey on pygmy rabbits.

Is the pygmy rabbit endangered?

One isolated population, the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, is listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Federal government, though the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the species as lower risk.

What are characteristics of a pygmy rabbit?

Sagebrush Ecosystem News, Blogs, and Multimedia Appearance. Pygmy rabbits have gray fur that is sometimes tipped with brown on their upper back. Habitat. Pygmy rabbits are associated with the sagebrush ecosystem. Diet. Range. Conservation Challenges. Recovery Plan. Projects and Partnerships. Designated Critical Habitat. Federal Register Notices