Emily

= __Endangered Species Project__ =

====**Population:**The population of the pygmy rabbit has diminished significantly since the constant destruction of their sagebrush habitat and some places like Washington, the Pygmy rabbit has been extinct. There is little known on their reproductive habits. Their breading season is short and occurs during spring time. Average liter size is 6, little is known on how they take care of their babies. They don't know if the parents make nests for the baby. Pygmy rabbits live up to 3-5 years but their life span is limited by predation.====
 * 1.** **Organism**:The Pygmy Rabbit AKA Brachylagus idahoensis are the smallest rabbits in North America, they weigh 246 to 462 grams, they are 23.5 to 29.5 cm long with a tail length of 15 to 24mm. Their fur color changes from brown to dark gray with white around the margins of their short round ears. Females are usually larger than males. The pygmy rabbit is close to the black-tailed and white-tailed hares and Nuttall's cottontail in California but there is no information on their relations. The Pygmy Rabbit only eats leaves and berries there for it is a herbivore grazers.

**Community:**
====Pygmy rabbits live in sagebrush and they are the only species that can dig their own burrow for protection and to live. Pygmy rabbits surface up above the ground for food but stay in burrows during winter time. They are not territorial and their home is determined by food availability. They squeal when alarmed and might communicate by chemical cues.====

**Ecosystem:**
====Pygmy rabbits live throughout most of the Great Basin of the United States. They are primarily found in big sagebrush habitats, using these sagebrush as protection and food. Since they are the smallest rabbit species in North America, they are the prey of many predators.====

Abiotic/Biotic Factors:
Abiotic:temperate. Biotic:Weasels, coyotes, badgers, bobcats, diurnal birds of prey, owls, foxes, humans, sagebrush, grass,pine trees.

**References:**

 * Sayler, R.D., L. Zeoli, and D.W. Hays. 2006. Reintroduction of the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit (//Brachylagus idahoensis//) in Washington. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 30+ v pp.
 * Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 2012. The Animal Diversity Web (online). Accessed at http://animaldiversity.org.

[[file:pygmy rabbt 2 .pptx]]
==== If the pygmy rabbit were to be took out of the food web it would affect many animals. The red fox, coyote, Diurnal birds of prey, Humans, Horned owl, Marsh hawk, Bobcats and Weasels would probably become endangered or extinct because they would have no food. These animals would probably have to move and adapt to a new ecosystem or eat other animals. The sagebrush, Indian ricegrass, Grass, Shrubs, Blue Berries, Foliage, Winterfat, needlegrass, rubber rabbitbrush, and Forbs would over populate because the pygmy rabbits would not be eating it. Other organisms might also eat the grass but not as many animals would so it will probably over populate. ====

==== 3. ** Adaptations: **They move by scampering close to the ground and generally don’t leap.Maximum mortality occurs between birth and 5 weeks old. Male pygmy rabbits also communicate dominance through body signals. It is likely that chemical cues play a role in communication, as in other mammals, but this is poorly understood in pygmy rabbits.==== They weigh between 246 to 462 grams. They are 23.5 to 29.5 cm long, with a tail length of 15 to 24 mm and hind foot length of 67 to 76 mm. Their fur color changes from brown to dark grey with white around the margins of their short, round ears. Their ears and feet are covered in hair and their tail is very short. Rabbits in general show some sexual size difference, in that females are 1 to 10 percent larger than males.

**References:**

 * Rohde, A. 2006. "Brachylagus idahoensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 13, 2012.

**4. Population size:**
To determine the population size of the Pygmy rabbit you would have to use Sampling by means of surveying programs as your method.The status of pygmy rabbit populations in the U.S has received little attention. Their range consists of the Great Basin and other regions, including Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Scientists use cameras with automatic triggers to see if the Pygmy rabbits are active. There are six rabbits in captivity. In Washington, 1995 there were 250 Pygmy rabbits but as of today there are none left. Due to habitat destruction, predators and sagebrush burning to promote grasses for livestock, the Pygmy rabbit population is in danger of extinction.