Lagomorphs

In terms of numbers, rabbits and hares — the most well-known members of the order Lagomorph — have proved very successful in a variety of habitats, particularly the limited one of the grassland herbivore, a niche also filled by ungulates. Still, the order has only two families: Leporidae and Ochotonidae. The physical features of leporids include the familiar oversized ears, large incisors and elongated hind limbs that give it its characteristic bounding gait. Less obvious is are the second pair of incisors behind the first and the leporid skull, which is jointed, allowing for a slight movement of the upper and lower jaws.

The 26 species of pikas in Ochotonidae look more like small, tail-less rodents than their rabbit cousins. North American pikas inhabit boreal or alpine biomes; Eurasian species occupy more varied habitats, including forests, plains and desert steppes.

The Lagomorph Family Tree

order: lagomorpha
(80 species)

family: ochotonidae pikas
leporidae rabbits, hares

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