Home › Mammalia › Leporidae › Broom Hare (Lepus castroviejoi)
SPECIES PROFILE
Broom Hare (Lepus castroviejoi)
Lepus
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Cantabrian Mountains, Spain
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Broom scrub, high mountains
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Lagomorpha
FAMILY
Leporidae
GENUS
Lepus
📋 Description
SIZE
45-55 cm body, 2-3 kg
COLORATION
Grey-brown with white underparts
ADAPTATIONS
Adapted to rocky high ground
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Broom scrub, high mountains
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Cantabrian Mountains, Spain
REPRODUCTION
1-3 leverets, 2-3 litters per year
DIET DETAILS
Grasses, broom, herbs
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, hunting, climate change
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The broom hare is one of the rarest European lagomorphs, confined to a tiny range in northern Spain. It relies on dense broom scrub for cover.
2
It was only described as a distinct species in 1976 and remains poorly known.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Picos de Europa Spain
Cantabrian Mountains Spain
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Extremely rare; high-altitude scrub in Cantabrian mountains.
