The Lagomorpha order, encompassing pikas, rabbits, and hares, includes some of the most fascinating and diverse small mammals on earth. These species are known for their unique adaptations to a variety of habitats, ranging from the arid deserts of Central Asia to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. The order is divided into two families: Ochotonidae (pikas) and Leporidae (rabbits and hares).

Rabbits and hares, while similar in appearance, have distinct differences. Rabbits, generally smaller and with shorter ears, are often burrowers and more social. They inhabit a wide range of environments, from wetlands to deserts. Hares, on the other hand, are larger, have longer ears, and are adapted for speed, living in open areas like grasslands and savannas.

Pikas, small and round-eared, are primarily found in mountainous regions across North America and Asia. They are known for their vocalizations and behaviors like haying, where they store food for the winter. Notably sensitive to environmental changes, some pika species are indicators of climate change impacts.

This comprehensive list highlights the incredible variety within the Lagomorpha order, including many endangered or vulnerable species due to habitat loss and climate change. Understanding these species and their ecological roles is crucial for their conservation and the preservation of biodiversity.

Leporidae Family

(rabbits and hares)

Rabbit Species

Genus Pentalagus Amami rabbit/Ryūkyū rabbit Pentalagus furnessi
Endemic to Japan’s Amami Islands, it is known for its ancient lineage and unique burrowing behavior.

Genus Bunolagus Riverine rabbit Bunolagus monticularis
Found in South Africa, it is critically endangered due to habitat loss and has a very low reproductive rate.

Genus Nesolagus Annamite striped rabbit Nesolagus timminsi
Discovered in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and Laos, it has distinctive dark stripes on its body.

Sumatran striped rabbit Nesolagus netscheri
Native to the forests of Sumatra, it is one of the world’s rarest rabbits, known for its striped coat.

Genus Romerolagus Volcano rabbit Romerolagus diazi
Found near volcanoes in Mexico, it is one of the smallest rabbit species and is endangered due to habitat destruction.

Genus Brachylagus Pygmy rabbit Brachylagus idahoensis
The smallest rabbit in North America, it is known for its dependence on sagebrush habitats.

Genus Sylvilagus Subgenus Tapeti Swamp rabbit Sylvilagus aquaticus
Found in the southeastern United States, it is known for its swimming ability and habitat preference for swamps.

Tapeti Sylvilagus brasiliensis
Inhabits Central and South America, it is also known as the Brazilian rabbit.

Dice’s cottontail Sylvilagus dicei
Found in Costa Rica and Panama, it is named after American mammalogist Lee Dice.

Omilteme cottontail Sylvilagus insonus
Endemic to Mexico, it is critically endangered and inhabits a very restricted range.

Marsh rabbit Sylvilagus palustris
Found in the southeastern United States, it is adapted to wetland habitats and is an excellent swimmer.

Venezuelan lowland rabbit Sylvilagus varynaensis
Inhabits the lowland regions of Venezuela and is known for its elusive nature.

Subgenus Sylvilagus Desert cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii
Found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, it thrives in arid desert environments.

Manzano mountain cottontail Sylvilagus cognatus
Inhabits the Manzano Mountains in New Mexico and is adapted to high-altitude environments.

Mexican cottontail Sylvilagus cunicularis
Found in the highlands of Mexico, it is known for its burrowing habits.

Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus
One of the most common rabbits in North America, it is highly adaptable to various habitats.

Tres Marias rabbit Sylvilagus graysoni
Endemic to the Tres Marias Islands off Mexico’s coast, it is endangered due to habitat loss and predation.

Mountain cottontail Sylvilagus nuttallii
Found in the western United States, it inhabits mountainous and forested areas.

Appalachian cottontail Sylvilagus obscurus
Found in the Appalachian Mountains, it prefers dense, shrubby habitats.

Robust cottontail Sylvilagus robustus
Inhabits rocky outcrops in the southwestern United States and Mexico, known for its sturdy build.

New England cottontail Sylvilagus transitionalis
Found in the northeastern United States, it is vulnerable due to habitat fragmentation.

Subgenus Microlagus Brush rabbit Sylvilagus bachmani
Inhabits the western coastal regions of North America, known for its preference for dense, brushy habitats.

San Jose brush rabbit Sylvilagus mansuetus
Endemic to San José Island in Mexico, it is critically endangered due to its restricted range.

Genus Oryctolagus European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus
Native to southwestern Europe, it has been widely introduced and is the progenitor of all domestic rabbits.

Genus Poelagus Bunyoro rabbit Poelagus marjorita
Found in Central Africa, it inhabits savanna and woodland areas and is unique for its diurnal activity patterns.

Hare Species

Genus Pronolagus
Hewitt’s red rock hare Pronolagus saundersiae
Found in South Africa, this species prefers rocky outcrops and has a distinctive reddish fur.

Jameson’s red rock hare Pronolagus randensis
Inhabits rocky areas in southern Africa, known for its elusive nature and red coat.

Natal red rock hare Pronolagus crassicaudatus
Found in southeastern Africa, it is distinguished by its thick tail and reddish fur.

Smith’s red rock hare Pronolagus rupestris
Inhabits rocky outcrops in southern Africa, known for its adaptation to rocky terrains.

Genus Caprolagus
Hispid hare Caprolagus hispidus
Found in the tall grasslands of the southern foothills of the Himalayas, it is endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.

Genus Lepus
Subgenus Macrotolagus
Antelope jackrabbit Lepus alleni
Found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, known for its large ears and long legs.

Subgenus Poecilolagus
Snowshoe hare Lepus americanus
Inhabits North America’s boreal forests, known for its seasonal coat color change from brown to white.

Subgenus Lepus
Alaskan hare Lepus othus
Native to Alaska, it is well adapted to cold climates and is known for its large size.

Arctic hare Lepus arcticus
Found in the Arctic regions of North America, it is known for its thick white fur and ability to survive extreme cold.

Mountain hare Lepus timidus
Inhabits the tundra and mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, known for its seasonal coat color change.

Subgenus Proeulagus
Black jackrabbit Lepus insularis
Endemic to Espiritu Santo Island in Mexico, it is threatened due to its limited range and habitat loss.

Black-tailed jackrabbit Lepus californicus
Common in the western United States and Mexico, known for its distinctive black-tipped ears and tail.

Cape Hare Lepus capensis
Widely distributed across Africa and parts of Asia, known for its adaptability to various habitats.

Desert hare Lepus tibetanus
Found in the arid regions of Central Asia, adapted to survive in harsh desert environments.

Scrub hare Lepus saxatilis
Inhabits southern Africa, known for its preference for scrubland and grassland habitats.

Tehuantepec jackrabbit Lepus flavigularis
Endemic to Mexico, it is endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.

Tolai hare Lepus tolai
Found in Central Asia, known for its long ears and ability to live in arid environments.

White-sided jackrabbit Lepus callotis
Inhabits the grasslands of Mexico and the southwestern United States, known for its distinctive white flanks.

Subgenus Eulagos
Broom hare Lepus castrovieoi
Endemic to Spain, it is vulnerable due to habitat fragmentation and agricultural practices.

Corsican hare Lepus corsicanus
Found in Corsica and parts of Italy, it is vulnerable due to habitat loss and hybridization with other hare species.

Ethiopian highland hare Lepus starcki
Inhabits the highlands of Ethiopia, known for its adaptation to high-altitude environments.

European hare Lepus europaeus
Widely distributed across Europe and parts of Asia, it is known for its speed and agility.

Granada hare Lepus granatensis
Endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, known for its distinctive behavior and habitat preferences.

Korean hare Lepus coreanus
Found in the Korean Peninsula, known for its adaptability to various environments.

Manchurian hare Lepus mandschuricus
Inhabits northeastern Asia, known for its ability to thrive in cold climates.

White-tailed jackrabbit Lepus townsendii
Common in North America, known for its large size and white tail.

Woolly hare Lepus oiostolus
Inhabits the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, known for its woolly fur.

Yunnan hare Lepus comus
Found in the Yunnan Province of China, known for its adaptability to diverse habitats.

Subgenus Sabanalagus
African savanna hare Lepus microtis
Inhabits the savannas of Africa, known for its speed and agility in escaping predators.

Ethiopian hare Lepus fagani
Found in Ethiopia, known for its unique adaptation to the Ethiopian highlands.

Subgenus Indolagus
Burmese hare Lepus peguensis
Inhabits Southeast Asia, known for its distinctive reddish-brown fur.

Hainan hare Lepus hainanus
Endemic to Hainan Island in China, it is vulnerable due to habitat loss.

Indian hare Lepus nigricollis
Common in India and Sri Lanka, known for its adaptability to various habitats and distinctive black nape.

Subgenus Sinolagus
Chinese hare Lepus sinensis
Found in China, known for its small size and adaptability to diverse environments.

Subgenus Tarimolagus
Yarkand hare Lepus yarkandensis
Inhabits the arid regions of Central Asia, known for its ability to survive in harsh desert conditions.

Subgenus Incertae Sedis
Abyssinian hare Lepus habessinicus
Found in the Horn of Africa, known for its distinctive long ears and fast running speed.

Japanese hare Lepus brachyurus
Endemic to Japan, known for its unique behavior and habitat preferences.

Ochotonidae Family

(pikas)

Pika Species

Northern Pikas Alpine pika/Altai Pika Ochotona alpine
Known for its high-pitched calls, it inhabits rocky slopes in the Altai Mountains.

American pika Ochotona princeps
Lives in the talus slopes of western North America and is highly sensitive to climate change.

Collared pika Ochotona collaris
Found in Alaska and northern Canada, this species stores food for winter, a behavior called haying.

Helan Shan pika/silver pika/verver pika Ochotona argentata
Inhabits the Helan Mountains in China and has a distinctive silvery fur.

Hoffmann’s pika Ochotona hoffmanni
This species is found in Mongolia and is adapted to cold, arid environments.

Northern pika/Siberian pika Ochotona hyperborea
Known for its wide range across Siberia and its ability to survive extremely cold temperatures.

Pallas’s pika Ochotona pallasi
Named after the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas, it inhabits Mongolia and southern Russia.

Turuchan pika Ochotona turuchanensis
Lives in the mountainous regions of northern Siberia, and is less studied compared to other pikas.

Shrub-steppe Pikas Afghan pika Ochotona rufescens
Found in the rocky deserts of Afghanistan and surrounding areas, it is well adapted to arid environments.

Daurian pika Ochotona dauurica
Inhabits the steppes of Mongolia and China, and is known for its burrowing habits.

Gansu pika/Gray pika Ochotona cansus
Resides in the mountains of Gansu, China, and has a distinctive gray coat.

Moupin pika Ochotona thibetana
Named after the Moupin region in China, it lives in forested areas and rocky slopes.

Nubra pika Ochotona nubrica
Found in the high-altitude regions of the Nubra Valley in India, it is adapted to cold desert conditions.

Plateau pika/Black-lipped pika Ochotona curzoniae
Common in the Tibetan Plateau, it plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by aerating the soil.

Steppe pika Ochotona pusilla
Inhabits the steppes of Central Asia, and is known for its large colonies.

Thomas’s pika Ochotona thomasi
Found in the mountains of China, it is named after Oldfield Thomas, a British mammalogist.

Tsing-ling pika Ochotona huangensis
Lives in the Qinling Mountains of China and has a reddish-brown fur.

Mountain Pikas Chinese red pika Ochotona erythrotis
Inhabits high-altitude regions of China and has a bright reddish coat.

Forrest’s pika Ochotona forresti
Found in the Hengduan Mountains of China, named after the British botanist George Forrest.

Gaoligong pika Ochotona gaoligongensis
Resides in the Gaoligong Mountains in China, known for its unique vocalizations.

Glover’s pika Ochotona gloveri
Found in the mountains of Tibet and named after zoologist John Glover.

Himalayan pika Ochotona himalayana
Inhabits the Himalayan region and is well adapted to high altitudes.

Ili pika Ochotona iliensis
Discovered in the Tian Shan Mountains in China, it is known for its rare and elusive nature.

Koslov’s pika Ochotona koslowi
Found in the mountains of China, named after Russian explorer Pyotr Kozlov.

Ladak pika Ochotona ladacensis
Inhabits the Ladakh region of India, adapted to high-altitude cold desert environments.

Large-eared pika Ochotona macrotis
Known for its large ears, it is found in the mountainous regions of Central Asia.

Muli pika Ochotona muliensis
Lives in the mountains of Sichuan, China, and is known for its distinctive black fur patches.

Black pika Ochotona nigritia
Found in the mountains of China, this species has a predominantly black coat.

Royle’s pika Ochotona roylei
Inhabits the Himalayan region and is named after British naturalist John Forbes Royle.

Turkestan red pika Ochotona rutila
Found in Central Asia, it has a reddish-brown fur and inhabits rocky slopes.