The Volcano Rabbit also known as teporingo or zacatuche (Romerolagus diazi) is a small rabbit that resides in the mountains of Mexico. Volcano Rabbits are the second smallest rabbit in the world, only the pygmy rabbit is smaller. The Volcano Rabbit lives at a high altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level. Grasslands have
expanded into the highlands, making it difficult for the rabbit to find
food and make their nest holes. Although the Volcano rabbits are not
found outside of Mexico.
There are a handful of isolated
populations away from the slopes of the volcanoes but these are very few
and far between. The four volcano slopes where these unique rabbits
reside are the Tlaloc, El Pelado, Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl volcano
slopes. Volcano Rabbits make their nests deep in the grass. Not only do they eat the grass, but they also use it to hide
from their enemies.
Volcano Rabbits breed
throughout the year with a peak during the warm summer. After a
gestation period of 38 - 40 days, they will give birth to 1 - 3 young.
At birth the youngsters are covered in fur but their eyes are closed.
They are weaned after approximately 20 days and they reach sexual
maturity at 4 months old.
Another problem is that the
Volcano Rabbits live on an active volcano. If this volcano were to
erupt, it would wipe out their small population. So, zoos and
preservation centers are working quickly to breed more Volcano Rabbits. Volcano Rabbits feed on zacaton grasses, herbs and
the bark of alder trees. During the rainy season they will also eat corn
and oats. Source
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