哺乳類 Amami rabbit / Pentalagus furnessi / Amami no kuro-usagi / 奄美のクロウサギ 奄美大島と徳之島のみに自生し、島のシンボルとなった珍しいウサギ。島で長年独自の進化をしたため、見た目は極めて原始的で、体長は40-50cmほど、黒っぽい体毛が密生し、耳はとても短く、胴体は丸くふっくらとし、穴を掘るための長い爪を持つ。ウサギにしては後肢は非常に短い。草を主食とした草食動物で、ハブを警戒しながら開けた場所で、食することが多い。奄美のクロウサギは通常単独で生活し、縄張り意識がとても強い。夜行性のため、日中での痕跡は、島内の人通りの少ない道に、夜間移動した際に残した小さい団子状の糞のみである。一時期森林伐採や外来種であるマングースや野良猫に捕食され、絶滅の危機に陥った。その後、外来種の駆除に力をいれ、今では奄美のクロウサギの生息数は安定し、徐々に増えつつある。
Title MAMMALS
- Kagoshima
- Topic(s)：
- $SETTINGS_DB.genreMap.get($item)
- Medium/Media of Use：
- Pamphlet
- Text Length：
- ≤250 Words
- FY Prepared：
- 2022
- Associated Tourism Board：
- ippanshadanhojin amamioshima kankobussanremmei
- Associated Address：
- 14-10 Naze suehirocho, Amami-shi , Kagoshima
English
MAMMALS
Amami rabbit / Pentalagus furnessi / Amami no kuro-usagi / 奄美のクロウサギ
This unusual rabbit, found only on Amami-Oshima and Tokunoshima, has become identified as a symbol of the islands. Its appearance is remarkably primitive due to its relatively stagnant evolution on these islands. Its body is 40 to 50 centimeters long, with dense dark fur, very short ears, a round plump torso, and long claws for digging holes. The hind legs are extremely short for a rabbit. It feeds on a herbivorous diet of grass only, and prefers to do so in open spaces where it can keep watch for attacks from habu vipers while it eats. It is very territorial, and nocturnal. In fact, the only signs of the Amami rabbit during the day are the small round droppings that mark its nighttime movement and can be found on less traveled roads throughout the islands. At one time it was in danger of extinction due to deforestation and the introduction of the predatory alien species of mongooses and feral cats. After considerable efforts to eradicate these predators, the Amami rabbit population is now stable and thought to be increasing.
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