Morgan Heim's Image

Morgan Heim (USA) reveals an intimate encounter between a beetle and a rabbit.

Morgan set up camera traps outside the burrows of pygmy rabbits in Washington State's Columbia Basin to observe their comings and goings. She was delighted to capture the moment one of the rabbits sniffed at a stink beetle that had been sheltering in its burrow. The beetle appears not to have felt threatened by the burrow owner, as typically when intimidated it rises its abdomen and releases a stink.

The pygmy rabbit is the only indigenous North American rabbit to dig burrows, which, as Morgan discovered, provide shelter for many other species, including stink beetles, pygmy short-horned lizards and chipmunks. With their home in the Columbia Basin becoming increasingly overgrazed and cleared for crops, conservation efforts were required to protect these rabbits.

Now, thanks to the introduction of captive-bred individuals, vaccination against infectious disease and protection of the shrub-steppe habitat, the Basin's pygmy rabbit population stands at about 150 and rising.

How you can help

• Habitat conservation is key to protecting the world's threatened species. Consider improving the habitats local to you by planting native trees or by adding a mini freshwater habitat.
• Be aware of the predators you might be introducing to your local habitats. Domestic animals can impact wildlife populations. Keep an eye on your pets while they're outdoors and make sure they don’t threaten any nests, hides or habitats.
• If you only have a few minutes a day, you can join an online community of nature spotters and help protect species all over the world by analysing camera trap footage from important conservation sites.