Have you ever heard of the term hare? Well, the truth is many people do not know what a hare is or they refer to the hare as a rabbit and mention the rabbit as an hare. But on this post i will get into the detailed differences between these too animals.
Characteristics of an Hare and Rabbit
Am i a rabbit or a Hare? What's the difference, thy both hop and look the same right, but my good reader, you have just offended the brilliant hare, by calling him a rabbit. Hares are larger than rabbits. They have similar yet dissimilar characteristics, lets look at a few.
Am i a rabbit or a Hare? What's the difference, thy both hop and look the same right, but my good reader, you have just offended the brilliant hare, by calling him a rabbit. Hares are larger than rabbits. They have similar yet dissimilar characteristics, lets look at a few.
- Skulls are larger in Hares and shapes different.
- Hares have longer hind hind legs than rabbits to allow the Hare to outpace them.
- Hares have longer ears with distinctive black markings.
- Hares change the color of their coat according to the season. They change from grey to brown coats in the summer, and in the winter it changes to the signature winter coat, white.
- They make lots of little hares. May produce up to eight litters per year, each litter can be about 3-8 young ones. Each of these hoppers are ready to make new hoppers in about six month. The gestation period for rabbit and hare is a month.
What they eat
Both Rabbit and Hare are vegetarians. Don't go thinking about reaping those beautiful carrots and turnips this season if you are planting near any hare or rabbit nests. Those fancy vegetables you are planting will be eaten away. Both rabbit and hare eat herbs, tree bark, and vegetables.
How much do they weigh?
Rabbits can weigh from anywhere between 2-11 lbs
Hares can weigh in at 6.5 - 12 lbs
Common Predator
When it comes on to defense, these bunnies have little or no chance. The hare and rabbit both rely on speed and concealment to get away from predators. They are hunted by, Foxes, bobcats, dogs, hawks and owls snakes, crows and red squirrels consume rabbits on occasion. Then of course is man, the natural enemy of most animals. Hare and rabbits are hunted for food and sport by man.
The Speed Test
If you are as ancient as i am, you probably have heard the story about the rabbit and the turtle that did the race and the turtle ended up beating the fast rabbit. Well that rabbit was actually a hare. So it wasn't a rabbit which lost that race, but a Hare.
The Hare is faster than the rabbit, a rabbit would not offer any meaningful competition in a race between the two. Here are the stats;
Both Rabbit and Hare are vegetarians. Don't go thinking about reaping those beautiful carrots and turnips this season if you are planting near any hare or rabbit nests. Those fancy vegetables you are planting will be eaten away. Both rabbit and hare eat herbs, tree bark, and vegetables.
How much do they weigh?
Rabbits can weigh from anywhere between 2-11 lbs
Hares can weigh in at 6.5 - 12 lbs
Common Predator
When it comes on to defense, these bunnies have little or no chance. The hare and rabbit both rely on speed and concealment to get away from predators. They are hunted by, Foxes, bobcats, dogs, hawks and owls snakes, crows and red squirrels consume rabbits on occasion. Then of course is man, the natural enemy of most animals. Hare and rabbits are hunted for food and sport by man.
The Speed Test
If you are as ancient as i am, you probably have heard the story about the rabbit and the turtle that did the race and the turtle ended up beating the fast rabbit. Well that rabbit was actually a hare. So it wasn't a rabbit which lost that race, but a Hare.
The Hare is faster than the rabbit, a rabbit would not offer any meaningful competition in a race between the two. Here are the stats;
Hare Top Speed |
Rabbit Top Speed |
64 kph, (40 mph) |
4 kph, (2 mph) |
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