ABOUT
About Amami Rabbit
Grows to about 41-51 cm and weighs 1.3-2.7 kg. A species endemic to Japan, found only on Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima, and often called a "living fossil" for retaining strongly primitive features. Designated a Natural Monument in 1921 and a Special Natural Monument in 1963. Nocturnal, it bases its activity around burrows dug in rock crevices or tree hollows, feeding on chinquapin nuts and young shoots. Breeding occurs mainly in spring and autumn, with one young born per litter. Its numbers once declined due to predation by feral cats and the introduced small Indian mongoose, but as mongoose eradication efforts have progressed, the population has been recovering in recent years. It is the emblematic animal of night tours, and it is not uncommon to encounter one hopping along a forest road.
SAFETY
Observation Safety Notes
Please enjoy Amami's wildlife through photographs. Some species are protected by law or local ordinance, and capturing or removing them is prohibited. In special protection zones within the national park, collecting any wildlife is prohibited entirely. Please check the notes on this page, and confirm local rules before visiting any site.
This creature is subject to: “Capture and transfer prohibited (Special Natural Monument)”. Touching or capturing it is prohibited by law or ordinance.
