Hare
Swift, solitary herbivores of the genus Lepus.
Hares are mammals belonging to the genus *Lepus*, making them true hares and distinguishing them from rabbits, which constitute the rest of the Leporidae family. They are herbivores that live solitarily or in pairs, nesting in shallow ground depressions called forms rather than burrows. Their young, known as leverets, are precocial—born fully furred with open eyes and able to fend for themselves shortly after birth. The genus includes the largest lagomorphs, and most species are fast runners equipped with long, powerful hind legs and large ears that help dissipate body heat. Hares are native to Africa, Eurasia, and North America. A group of hares may be called a husk or a down.
Not all animals with "hare" in their name are true hares: the hispid hare and four species of red rock hares belong to the genus *Pronolagus*. Conversely, several *Lepus* species are called jackrabbits but are classified as hares. The Belgian hare is a domesticated European rabbit bred to resemble a hare. Hares are swift, capable of running up to 80 km/h over short distances; the European hare can sustain 35 mph, while North American jackrabbits can run 40 mph over longer distances and leap up to three meters at a time.
The European hare, normally shy, becomes conspicuous in spring when bucks compete for dominance, leading to boxing behavior between both sexes. This inspired the idiom "mad as a March hare." Hares have kinetic skulls that absorb running impact, and a dental formula of two pairs of upper incisors and one pair of lower incisors, with no canines. They are reputed to have better backward than forward vision. Hares have 48 chromosomes, while rabbits range from 38 to 52. No hares have been domesticated, though some are raised for food or sport hunting. Hares inhabit diverse environments from deserts to arctic tundra, and some, like the snowshoe hare, change fur color seasonally. The European hare has become invasive in some regions. Their diet involves cecotrophy, reingesting cecotropes to extract nutrients from hard-to-digest plant matter.
- Scientific classification
- Genus Lepus
- Common names
- Hares, jackrabbits
- Native to
- Africa, Eurasia, North America
- Top speed
- Up to 80 km/h (50 mph) over short distances
- Chromosome count
- 48
- Dental formula
- 2.0.3.3 / 1.0.2.3 = 28
- Young term
- Leveret
Lore & Background
Hares are swift animals and can run up to 80 km/h (50 mph) over short distances. Over longer distances, the European hare (Lepus europaeus) can run up to 55 km/h (35 mph). The five species of jackrabbits found in central and western North America are able to run at 65 km/h (40 mph) over longer distances, and can leap up to 3 m (10 ft) at a time. Normally a shy animal, the European brown hare changes its behavior in spring, when it can be seen in daytime chasing other hares. This appears to be competition between males (called bucks) to attain dominance for breeding. During this spring frenzy, animals of both sexes can be seen 'boxing', one hare striking another with its paws. This behavior gives rise to the idiom 'mad as a March hare'.
Reader's Guide
Hares are significant as the largest lagomorphs and as a key prey species across three continents. Their speed and leaping ability make them notable in their ecosystems. The distinction between true hares (genus Lepus) and rabbits is important in taxonomy, with hares having 48 chromosomes and being precocial—born furred and with eyes open—while rabbits are altricial. Hares have not been domesticated, unlike rabbits, though some captive populations are raised for food and sport. In human culture, hares appear in cuisine such as German Hasenpfeffer, Greek lagos stifado, and Maltese dishes, as well as in the idiom 'mad as a March hare'. Their jointed skulls and cecotrophy (reingestion of cecotropes) are notable biological adaptations. The European hare has become an invasive species in some regions.
Did You Know?
- A group of hares may be called either a husk or a down.
- A hare less than one year old is called a leveret.
- The Belgian hare is a domesticated European rabbit bred to resemble a hare.
- Hares have a reputation for better backward vision than forward vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a hare and a rabbit?
Hares are the true members of the genus Lepus within the Leporidae family, while rabbits make up the remaining species in that family. A key distinction is that hare young are born furred, with eyes open, and can fend for themselves almost immediately, unlike the naked, helpless young of rabbits.
How fast can a hare run?
Hares can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h (about 50 mph) over short bursts, powered by their long, powerful hind legs. This makes them among the swiftest members of the order Lagomorpha.
Where do hares live in the wild?
Members of the genus Lepus are native to Africa, Eurasia, and North America. They typically live solitarily or in pairs rather than in large social colonies, nesting in shallow ground depressions called forms.
How do hares stay cool in hot climates?
Their large ears act as a natural radiator, dissipating excess body heat through the dense network of blood vessels in the ear tissue. This adaptation is especially important for species inhabiting arid or hot regions.
What is a hare's dental formula and total tooth count?
Hares carry 28 teeth following the formula 2.0.3.3 / 1.0.2.3. Like all lagomorphs, they lack upper canine teeth, leaving a noticeable gap (diastema) between the incisors and the premolars.
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