Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Lagomorpha
- Family
- Leporidae
- Genus
- Sylvilagus
Habitat
This species is endemic to the arid shrublands and dry tropical forests of the Tres Marias Islands off western Mexico. It prefers areas with dense vegetation for cover and is restricted to these small islands, avoiding open or highly disturbed terrains.
Diet
The Tres Marias rabbit primarily eats grasses, leaves, and stems of shrubs, foraging on the ground for these plant materials. It feeds mainly at night or during twilight hours to avoid predators, consuming a variety of available vegetation on the islands.
Behavior
This rabbit is primarily nocturnal, emerging at dusk to forage and remaining hidden in burrows or dense vegetation during the day. It is solitary and territorial, with individuals defending small home ranges, and it uses rapid zigzagging runs to escape threats.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Critically Endangered, with a declining population trend due to habitat destruction from introduced species and human activities. Major threats include predation by feral cats and habitat loss from invasive plants.