Overview
The Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus), also known as the Assam rabbit, is an elusive and severely imperiled lagomorph native to the dense, tall grasslands flanking the sub-Himalayan river valleys of northern South Asia. Unlike typical fleet-footed hares of open fields, this secretive, robust mammal is adapted specifically for burrowing and navigating through impenetrable thickets of giant thatch and elephant grass. Serving as a crucial ecological barometer for early-successional riverine grasslands, the hispid hare shares its fragile flood-prone ecosystem with iconic megafauna like the greater one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger.
Biology and Physical Characteristics
The physical structure of Caprolagus hispidus reveals marked divergence from other hares. Its coat is unusually coarse, bristly, and dark brown interspersed with black hairs above, fading to a pale buff-white belly. Its ears are remarkably short and rounded—measuring barely two to three inches—minimizing resistance as the animal tunnels through dense vegetation. Its forelegs are sturdy and equipped with strong, straight claws suited for digging for roots and hollow chambers, while its hind legs are relatively short, resulting in a scuttling running motion rather than the explosive bounding gait typical of open-country hares.
Behavior and Ecology
Hispid hares are solitary, primarily nocturnal foragers that spend daylight hours concealed in shallow depressions (forms) or inside excavated subterranean tunnels nestled within dense grass tussocks. At dusk, they venture out along established runways cleared through the undergrowth, feeding selectively on the succulent bases, roots, and tender shoots of wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum) and imperata grasses. Breeding pairs are believed to form temporary associations during late winter, with females giving birth to small litters of precocial young inside concealed ground nests.
Conservation and Human Impact
Evaluated as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, the hispid hare has experienced catastrophic habitat loss exceeding 80 percent across its historic distribution. The prime drivers are agricultural encroachment, seasonal burning of grasslands by local thatch harvesters, overgrazing by domestic cattle, and flood control levees that interrupt natural river silt replenishment. Crucial remaining refugia persist inside protected national parks, including Manas National Park in Assam and Chitwan National Park in Nepal, where carefully managed rotational fire regimes are essential for its continued survival.
Interesting Factoid
Unlike true hares that rely on long ears and giant leaps across open plains, the hispid hare has tiny rounded ears and straight digging claws, moving through dense river grass like a secretive little burrower.
Last updated: October 2026