Question

Zoological name of North India hare is
A. Lepus nigricollis
B. Sorex araneus
C. Lepus rufi caudatus
D. Oryctolagus cuniculus

Answer 1

Hint: Hare are swift-moving mammals that are related to rabbits in many features and are also classified in the same family like them. Indian Hare is the species of the hare that are native to the Indian subcontinent.

Complete answer:
Hare and Rabbits belong to the same family Leporidae and have distinct similar features. Their size and body form is very much similar to each other. Both of them share a similar diet pattern- both are herbivorous. The differences lie in their behavioral and developmental pattern.

Unlike rabbits, Hare has longer ears, hind feet, and tail. Their fur color changes according to the season- white in winters and brown in summers. They are not born blinds and prefer to live in solidarity. The only time they socialize is during the time of mating. Unlike rabbits, they do not hide during the time of danger. These mammals use their hind feet to run away from it. Their longer hind feet are also a reason why they are fast runners. They can reach up to a maximum speed of 45 mph.
They are mostly found in dense vegetation and open fields and feed on grasses, fruits, and seeds. They occupy an entire genus called Lepus.
The Indian Hare is native to the Indian subcontinent and is endemic to South India and Sri Lanka. They have a patch of black fur running along the nape of their neck and also have a tail covered with black fur at its top. Their body also has black hair scattered throughout and, thus, they are also called a Black-naped hare. A total of seven subspecies of Indian hare is found in our country. They belong to the genus Lepus and species nigricollis.

Let us analyze the options to find the correct answer.
Option A: Lepus nigricollis is the scientific name of the North Indian Hare. Therefore, this is the correct option.
Option B: Sorex araneus is the scientific name of Common Shrew. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.
Option C: Lepus rufi caudatus is an incomplete scientific name. The correct scientific name is Lepus nigricollis rufi caudatus, where the last word indicates the name of subspecies. It is the scientific name of the Indian hare but, since the name in the option is incomplete, therefore, this is an incorrect option.
Option D: Oryctolagus cuniculus is the scientific name of the European rabbit. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)Note: The seven species of Indian Hare found in our country are- Lepus nigricollis aryabertensis, Lepus nigricollis dayanus, Lepus nigricollis nigricollis, Lepus nigricollis rufi caudatus, Lepus nigricollis sadiya, Lepus nigricollis simcoxi, and, Lepus nigricollis singhala.