Hares are swift, medium-sized mammals belonging to the genus Lepus, which places them within the order Lagomorpha, a group they share with rabbits and pikas. Hares constitute a distinct lineage within the family Leporidae, characterized by their adaptation to open landscapes. These animals are found across a wide geographic range, inhabiting parts of Africa, Eurasia, and North America.
Defining Physical Characteristics
Hares are typically the largest members of the Lagomorpha order, often appearing more long-limbed and lean than rabbits. A defining anatomical feature is their extremely long ears, which can measure up to 8 inches and are often tipped with black coloration. These large ears help detect predators and serve a thermoregulatory function by dissipating excess body heat in warmer climates.
The hind legs of a hare are significantly longer and more muscular than their forelegs, a physical trait that makes them specialized for high-speed running. This powerful propulsion allows species such as the jackrabbit to reach speeds exceeding 45 miles per hour over long distances. Some hares, like the Snowshoe Hare, exhibit seasonal camouflage, molting their brown summer coat for a white one in the winter to blend into snowy environments.
How Hares Differ from Rabbits
The primary distinctions between hares and rabbits lie in their reproductive biology and living arrangements. Hares are born precocial; their young, called leverets, are delivered above ground fully furred, with eyes open, and capable of moving within minutes of birth. In contrast, baby rabbits (kits) are altricial, born blind, hairless, and completely dependent on their mother, requiring a protected nest for survival.
This difference in development correlates directly with their nesting strategies, as hares do not construct underground burrows or warrens. Instead, a female hare gives birth in a simple, shallow depression in the ground or grass known as a “form,” which offers minimal physical protection. Rabbits, such as the European rabbit, are known for their complex, subterranean tunnel systems that provide safety from predators and environmental extremes. Furthermore, hares are generally solitary creatures, congregating only briefly for mating, whereas many rabbit species form social, colonial groups.
Behavior, Diet, and Habitat
The hare’s behavior centers on its reliance on speed and camouflage as its primary defense mechanisms in open habitats. They are generally solitary animals, often active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, a pattern known as crepuscular activity. When threatened, a hare does not retreat into a burrow but uses its powerful hind legs to sprint away in a straight line, often employing a zig-zag pattern to evade pursuit.
Hares utilize the “form”—the shallow depression on the ground—as a resting and concealment spot during the day. Their fur provides excellent camouflage against the surrounding vegetation while resting.
As herbivores, their diet consists primarily of grasses, herbs, and tender vegetation during the spring and summer months. When preferred food is scarce in winter, hares sustain themselves by consuming tougher, woody material, including twigs, buds, and the bark of shrubs and young trees. Hares are found in a variety of open ecosystems, ranging from temperate grasslands and farmland to boreal forests and arctic tundra.