Lagomorpha

mammal pests • vertebrates • other pests • pests-diseases-weeds

European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Tasmania, Australia (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): J.J. Harrison
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Lagomorpha - (rabbits, hares)

The order of Lagomorpha contains 70-80 species of hares and rabbits. The most important pest species is the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in areas where it has been introduced, especially in Australia and New Zealand. A few other species, e.g. some hares of the genus Lepus are considered minor pests.

The species of Lagomorpha resemble rodents and are most closely related to that order. However, they eat exclusively plants and can be separated by the morphology of the scull, the teeth and the hind legs.

For details see the respective page in Wikipedia.

The following genera and individual species are currently entered under this order:

• Lepus (genus)
• Oryctolagus cuniculus