Venezuelan lowland rabbit | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Lagomorpha |
Family: | Leporidae |
Genus: | Sylvilagus |
Species: | S. varynaensis
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Binomial name | |
Sylvilagus varynaensis Durant & Guevara, 2001
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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]
Its diet consists in large measure of plants of the genus Sida. [1]
It is found in lowland savannas close to dry forests within the Llanos ecoregion. [1]
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]
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]
Possible threats to the species include habitat destruction by deforestation and agricultural conversion, competition with grazing livestock and hunting. [1]