
Photo: Yuriy75 · Public domain
Lepus tolai
Diet
Grass, roots and herbaceous vegetation
Habitat
Grassland, forest meadow, shrub cover, semi-desert, mountain steppe and rocky country
Range
Central Asia, Mongolia, northern and central China and adjoining regions
Litter size
2–6
Size
40–59cm
Weight
1.7–2.7kg
The Tolai hare is a medium-sized hare with a 40–59cm head-and-body length and long ears measuring 8–12cm. Its upper fur varies geographically from sandy yellow and pale brown to sandy grey, mixed with darker or reddish markings. The underparts are pure white. A broad dark stripe runs along the upper surface of the otherwise white-sided tail, and the ear tips are black. (Handbook of the Mammals of the World species account)
In China, the Tolai hare uses grasslands and forest meadows rather than closed forest, selecting tall grass or shrubs for cover. Across its wider range it also occupies semi-desert, mountain steppe and rocky country. It feeds on grass, roots and herbaceous vegetation along established routes. The species is nocturnal and rests in shallow forms during daylight. Females produce two or three litters annually, each containing two to six young. (Handbook of the Mammals of the World species account)