Sumatran striped rabbit

The Sumatran striped rabbit (Nesolagus netscheri), also known as the Sumatra short-eared rabbit or Sumatran rabbit, is a species of rabbit found in the montane forests of the Barisan Mountains in northwestern Sumatra and surrounding areas. Similar in size to the European rabbit, but with shorter limbs and muzzle and a broader head, the Sumatran striped rabbit is distinguished by the black or dark brown stripes running across its yellowish grey body. Its close relative, the recently discovered Annamite striped rabbit, has similar fur patterns, but is only found on the Laos–Vietnam border.

Like other rabbits, the Sumatran striped rabbit eats plants. It prefers the vegetation of those in the genus Cyrtandra, but will feed on fallen fruit and plants in the Araceae family as well. It avoids cultivated fruits and grains. Studies on the rabbit suggest that it is a solitary, nocturnal animal. Little else is known about its ecology.

The Sumatran striped rabbit has been described as the rarest rabbit in the world. It has been rarely seen, despite extensive studies in its habitat to capture the rabbit and other rare species on camera traps. The species is threatened by habitat loss, as much of the habitable forest it lives in has been cut down for timber and to grow tea and coffee. The rabbits are also smuggled out of the country to be sold as exotic pets. The species' classification has varied since it was initially evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1994, but as of 2019 it is considered a data deficient species.