Impacted Species

Unlike RHDV1, which primarily impacts wild and domestic European rabbits, RHDV2 affects both domestic and wild rabbits and hares. Since a large number of species have already been impacted by RHDV2 in the United States, it should be assumed that all wild rabbit and hare species in the United States are susceptible to RHDV2. As of August1st, 2023 in the United States, RHDV2 has been confirmed the following animals:

Domestic rabbits

Feral rabbits

Photo Credit: Erin Stahler

Antelope jackrabbit
(Lepus alleni)

Black-tailed jackrabbit
(Lepus californicus)

Eastern cottontail
(Sylvilagus floridanus)

Desert cottontail
(Sylvilagus audubonii)

Mountain cottontail
(Sylvilagus nuttallii)

Pygmy rabbit
(Sylvilagus idahoensis)

Snowshoe hare
(Lepus americanus)

Riparian brush rabbit
(Sylvilagus bachmani riparius)

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California Academy of Sciences

Western brush rabbit
(Sylvilagus bachmani)