巣作りに勤しむエゾナキウサギ

エゾナキウサギは北海道の一部地域に生息する、一見ハムスターのような小動物。ユーラシア大陸北部に分布するキタナキウサギの亜種。主に標高1,500m〜1,900mの岩塊部に巣を作り、冷涼な気候を好む。日本では北海道にしか生息しておらず、更に分布範囲が非常に狭い。そのうえ繁殖率も高くなく生存率も低いこと、ストレスや環境の変化に弱い事からそもそもの個体数が少なく、環境省の定めるレッドリストでは準絶滅危惧種に指定されている。亜種を含め、昼行性で日中に活動する。降雪前の時期には冬季間の貯食・巣作りの為に特に活動的になる。

Ezo rock rabbit “Pika” at work building a nest

The Ezo rock rabbit “Pika” is a small, apparently hamster-like animal found in parts of Hokkaido. It is a subspecies of the northern Eurasian northern pied hare. It nests mainly in rocky areas at altitudes of 1,500 m to 1,900 m and prefers cooler climates of around 15 degrees Celsius. In Japan, it is found only in Hokkaido and has a very small distribution range. The population is small due to its low reproductive rate, low survival rate and vulnerability to stress and environmental changes, and it is listed as semi-threatened on the Red List of Threatened Species by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment. Diurnal, including subspecies, are diurnal and active during the day. They are particularly active during the pre-snow season for winter feeding and nesting.