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Venezuelan lowland rabbit

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Venezuelan lowland rabbit
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Sylvilagus
Species:
S. varynaensis
Binomial name
Sylvilagus varynaensis
Durant & Guevara, 2001
Venezuelan lowland rabbit range

The Venezuelan lowland rabbit (Sylvilagus varynaensis), also known as the Barinas wild rabbit, is a cottontail rabbit species found in western Venezuela.[2]

Diet

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Its diet consists in large measure of plants of the genus Sida.[1]

Habitat

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It is found in lowland savannas close to dry forests within the Llanos ecoregion.[1]

Description

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It is the largest of only three leporids known from South America.[2] Head and body length is about 44 cm, with females being slightly larger.[1]

Breeding

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Reproduction takes place over three quarters of the year, with an average of 2.6 embryos per litter, but most commonly during September through December. The gestation period is 35 days.[1]

Threats

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Possible threats to the species include habitat destruction by deforestation and agricultural conversion, competition with grazing livestock and hunting.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Johnston, C.H.; Smith, A.T. (2019). "Sylvilagus varynaensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T41311A45193972. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T41311A45193972.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Hoffman, R.S.; Smith, A.T. (2005). "Order Lagomorpha". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 211. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.