|
Leporidae:
Leporids are the approximately 50 species of rabbits and hares which form the family Leporidae. The leporids, together with the pikas, comprise the lagomorphs, one of the orders of mammals. Leporids differ from pikas in having short furry tails, and elongated ears and hind legs. The name leporid is derived from Latin leporis, genitive of lepus, a hare. Members of all genera except Lepus are usually referred to as rabbits, while members of Lepus (which accounts for almost half the species) are usually called hares. However the distinction between these two common names does not map completely into current taxonomy, since the jackrabbits are members of Lepus, and members of the genera Pronolagus and Caprolagus are sometimes called hares. Leporids are native across the world except in Oceania where their introduction is an important threat for the native mammals in Australia. |
