Striped rabbits, belonging to the genus Nesolagus, are among Asia’s most elusive mammals. Their patterned coats and secretive nature make them a subject of scientific curiosity. For a long time, the genus was thought to contain only a single species in Sumatra. The discovery of a second species revealed these animals were more widespread, yet equally mysterious.
Physical Characteristics and Species
The Sumatran striped rabbit (Nesolagus netscheri) has a pattern of dark brown or black stripes across a buff or grayish body. This rabbit weighs around 1.5 kg, measures between 368 and 417 mm in length, and has a reddish-brown rump and a very short tail. Its fur is dense and soft, providing insulation in its high-altitude environment.
A second species, the Annamite striped rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi), was identified in 1996. While physically similar to its Sumatran relative with its stripes and rust-colored rump, there are differences. The stripes on the Annamite rabbit can be less defined, and genetic analysis confirmed it is a distinct species. Specific skull and teeth structures also differentiate the two anatomically.
Habitat and Geographic Distribution
The two species of striped rabbit inhabit separate mountain ecosystems. The Sumatran striped rabbit is endemic to the Barisan Mountains in western Sumatra, Indonesia, where it occupies high-altitude montane forests between 600 and 1,600 meters above sea level. This environment is dense rainforest, and the rabbits show a preference for areas with volcanic soil.
In contrast, the Annamite striped rabbit is found in the Annamite mountain range along the border of Vietnam and Laos. This region is over 1,500 kilometers from the home of its Sumatran cousin. Like the Sumatran species, it resides in rainforests, but much is still unknown about its specific elevation preferences.
Behavior and Diet
Based on limited observations, striped rabbits are nocturnal. They spend their days resting in burrows created by other forest creatures rather than digging their own. Their short limbs make them poor runners, so they depend on dense undergrowth for cover from predators.
The diet of the Sumatran striped rabbit consists of plants from the forest floor, and they forage at night on the stalks and leaves of understory vegetation. They remain hidden while feeding. The specific diet of the Annamite striped rabbit has not been documented but is presumed to be similar.
Conservation Status and Threats
The Annamite striped rabbit is listed as Endangered by the IUCN. The primary danger comes from snares set by hunters for other animals, which trap and kill these ground-dwelling rabbits. This is compounded by ongoing habitat loss due to agriculture and road construction.
The Sumatran striped rabbit is classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN, as there is not enough information to assess its population status, but it faces similar threats. Its forest home is cleared for timber extraction and for coffee and tea plantations. For both species, habitat destruction and snaring present a challenge to their survival.