Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit

Columbian Basin Pygmy Rabbit

(Brachylagus idahoensis)

By: Katie Halstead

Description and Ecology:

The Brachylagus idahoensis also known as pygmy rabbit has six subspecies of pygmy rabbits found in the United States. The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit is one of the subspecies and is a member of the Leporidae family. The pygmy rabbit is the world’s smallest leporid weighing in at 0.827 to 1.102 pounds and a body length of 23.5 to 29.5 centimeters. The female is slightly larger than males. It is distinguished from other rabbits by its small size but also its gray fur with white margins around its round ears and a hidden tail.

The pygmy rabbit is one of the only rabbits to dig its own burrow. However, they have also been known to take other animals burrows similar to other rabbits. They preside in the sagebrush habitat and as a result of the declining habitat they have been listed as endangered. 

  

Geographic and Population Change:

The Pygmy Rabbit has been known to reside in the pacific northwest living in sagebrush habitats. The rabbit is known by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is known as least concern it is the subspecies from the Columbia basin area that are now known as endangered. In 2002, there were only 16 pygmy rabbits remaining in Washington. The reason for their great decline is due to their habitat of sagebrush being destroyed.

Listing Date and Type of Listing:

In 1991, the pygmy rabbit was classified as threatened by Washington State, but in 1993 the species was reclassified as endangered. However, on November 30, 2001, the Columbian Basin Pygmy Rabbit was federally classified as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Cause of Listing and Main Threats to its Continued Existence:

The initial cause of the decline in the Pygmy Rabbit was due to human activity, including destruction, modification, and curtailment in their natural habitat. The Pygmy Rabbit is reliant on sagebrush as their habitat, but nearly 60 percent of the native shrub steppe habitats have been removed by human activity in creating urban and rural developments. The sage brush has also been known to be easily killed by wildfires, invasive species, and floods. 

Although the main reason for their decreased population is due to the depletion of their habitat it was not the only influence on the decline of this species. The recreational activities of humans including hunting and trapping of other animals have been a reason for the diminishing population. It is known that the pygmy rabbit is also is effected by predators that move into areas with humans. A large contributor of their decline is their susceptibility to disease. The pygmy rabbits harbor many parasites, including ticks, fleas, and lice that can lead to a large range of diseases.  In the early years of its listing it was protected from any hunting or destroying of habitat, however because of Washington legislation it was not protected by accidental killings.

Description of Recovery Plan:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service outlined the recovery plan by articulating that their main long-term goal was to reclassify the species from endangered to threatened, which is known as “down listing”. It is thought that through aggressive reintroduction the down listing can be achieved within the next few years. However, they have decided that their knowledge on the problems associated with the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit is not enough to state that it will be completely delisted.

They will implement three factors for this down listing to occur: Create captive breeding program to increase the population. Implement habitat acquisitions to protect and manage the species natural habitat. Monitor the species and find what is causing all their diseases.

What can you do?

The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits habitat is being destroyed at an alarming rate, however there are many things that one can do. Humans have been known to destroy their habitat by creating roads and hiking trails around their habitat. By implementing protected areas around their habitat that will greatly decrease the destruction of their habitat. You can do this by contacting local governments and asking for their help in implementing them. As for something you can directly do, just stay on the path provided to you, this will also create less harm to the species.

Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit is also being effected by the destruction of sagebrush. It is very susceptible to fires and it is crucial for actions to be taken to prohibit this from occurring. Volunteer to help protect the sage brush. 

Other Resources and Links:

1.     Adopt!!! Support the species by adopting a pygmy rabbit. The habitat that they need to survive needs to be replenished, by you adopting you allow the area to refresh.

2.     Donate!!! Support the species by donating directly to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in their efforts to protect and save the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit.

Citations:

“Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits.” Oregon Zoo, Oregon Zoo, www.oregonzoo.org/conserve/fighting-extinction-pacific northwest/columbia-basin-pygmy-rabbits. 10 November 2017. Fish, U S, and Wildlife Service. “Recovery Plan for the Columbia Basin Distinct Population Segment of the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus Idahoensis).” (2004): 1–25. Print. 10 November 2017. Rachlow, J., Becker, P.A. & Shipley, L. 2016. Brachylagus idahoensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T2963A45176206. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T2963A45176206.en. 10 November 2017.

Images in Order of Appearance:

http://www.ndow.org/Species/Furbearer/Pygmy_Rabbit/

http://knkx.org/post/rare-pygmy-rabbits-reproducing-washington-sagebrush

http://washingtonslittlefriends.blogspot.com/

http://oregonconservationstrategy.org/strategy-habitat/sagebrush-habitats/

https://lccnetwork.org/news/new-rangeland-fire-science-plan-identifies-priority-science-needs-conserving-sagebrush-sea

https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-parasites-mosquito-flea-tick-cartoon-illustration-human-dog-image33714521

http://marinebio.org/oceans/threatened-endangered-species/

https://www.hikingproject.com/directory/8011616/lander

https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Pygmy-Rabbit.aspx