The Romerolagus diazi or Volcano Rabbit is one of the smallest rabbits. Only the Pygmy Rabbit is smaller. It usually is a brownish black color. The Romerolagus diazi adapts to very cold places and is mostly nocturnal. It has short legs, round ears, and short fur. The rabbit weighs about 390 - 600g. It lives in a distinct part of Mexico. They usually live in a group of 2-5 rabbits in a burrow.

 

They are found at very high altitudes. Living in pine forests these little rabbits live in Tussock brush and under rock areas and burrows. They have winter droughts and summer rains. Their population is about 1000 - 1200 rabbits. They are shrinking as we speak. They are endangered animals. Getting hunted all the time and also forest fires are causing these problems too, it's really very sad. Nothing I can find is contributing to the change. This rabbit is an herbivore. The Romerolagus diazi feeds on the green leaves of zacaton grasses.

 

They don’t compete with anyone for their food that I know of. Some of its predators are birds. The volcano rabbit protects itself from birds by burrowing a hole and staying in there for awhile until it thinks it's safe. This is very smart of the animal to do this and means it has very good instincts.

 

A very interesting fact is that they are endangered and I couldn't find anything or anyone that is helping this very in need animal. Someone needs to do something because we're losing our world and how it was. I learned how this whole animal that I've never heard of before until this worked and it only took a little to learn all about it.

 

Author: Dakota D

Published: 02/2007

 

Bibliography: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/g/gervaisb/Biogeography/Student%20Papers/Tina%20Rogers/volcanorabbit.htp :http://www.animalinfo.org/species/romediaz.htm#picture

 

Photo Credit: Above right photo by - F.A. Cervantes-Reza, courtesy of Mammal Slide Library, American Society of Mammalogists.