An elusive striped rabbit that has rarely been photographed has been caught on film deep in the forests of Sumatra, thanks to camera traps set up in an isolated mountain region of the Indonesian island.
The Sumatra striped rabbit is not only extremely rare, it is also extremely shy, emerging from hiding only under the cover of darkness. The secretive, nocturnal creatures were snapped scooting across the crowded forest floor in two national parks in 2011.
"We were really excited as soon as we saw the rabbit photos because we knew that they were not photographed very often," said Jennifer McCarthy, a doctoral candidate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and one of the researchers who oversaw the camera-trap project.
Research suggests the species is the rarest of the lagomorphs, the taxonomic order that includes rabbits, hares and pikas.
Despite the dark, grainy images, McCarthy recognized the rare, striped mammals almost immediately.
Image: Can you spy the rare rabbit?
"With their unique coloring, they are pretty unmistakable," she told OurAmazingPlanet in an email.
The rabbits are listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, an independent body that assesses the status of species around the globe. In 1996, the rabbits were listed as critically endangered; it's not clear what prompted the change.
The rabbits, known for their short ears and the distinctive wide, dark stripes that adorn their faces and bodies, live only in Sumatra. They have rarely been seen in the wild, and were photographed for the first time only in 1998, according to a statement from UMass Amherst.
McCarthy said the newly published photographs show that that there are at least a few of the animals living in two different national parks.
It's not clear if additional populations are lurking in other regions of the island, but the recent find should encourage local officials to protect the parks from development and human encroachment, McCarthy said.
Reach Andrea Mustain at amustain@techmedianetwork.com. Follow her on Twitter @AndreaMustain. Follow OurAmazingPlanet for the latest in Earth science and exploration news on Twitter @OAPlanet and on Facebook.
Copyright 2012 OurAmazingPlanet, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.