About Lepus nigricollis F.Cuvier, 1823
The Indian hare (Lepus nigricollis F.Cuvier, 1823) is a medium-sized hare, with notably larger individuals found in the southern parts of its range. Its fur is a mix of black and rufous; rufous coloring is especially prominent on the legs and breast. The underside of the body and the underside of the tail are white, while the upper surface of the tail is brown. Head and body length ranges from 33 to 53 cm (13 to 21 in), ear length is 8 to 12 cm (3.1 to 4.7 in), and large, well-furred hind feet measure 8.5 to 11.5 cm (3.3 to 4.5 in). The tail is rather long, at about 6.4 cm (2.5 in). Adult Indian hares weigh between 1.8 and 3.6 kg (4.0 to 7.9 lb). Different subspecies may have distinguishing features. The nominate subspecies, L. n. nigricollis, has a black tail (instead of the typical brown upper tail) and a distinctive black patch of fur on the back of its neck. L. n. dayanus has paler fur that tends toward yellow. L. n. ruficaudatus is very similar to L. n. nigricollis, but its tail and neck patch are rufous and dark brown rather than black. The Indian hare inhabits open grassy areas, cultivated plains, semi-arid and arid plains, and hills across the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. This species is crepuscular and nocturnal in its activity pattern.
