Hare

Hares are mammals in the genus Lepus, within the family Leporidae. They differ from rabbits in several ways, including larger size, longer ears and hind legs, and a tendency to live in open habitats such as grasslands, tundra, and deserts. A key reproductive distinction is that hares give birth to precocial young—leverets that are born furred and able to move soon after birth—without digging burrows; instead they nest above ground in shallow forms.

Hares are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere and in parts of Africa. Species vary in habitat requirements, from temperate grasslands to Arctic tundra. Notable members include the European hare (Lepus europaeus), Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus), Mountain hare (Lepus timidus), Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), and several North American jackrabbits (Lepus californicus and related species). Adaptations such as seasonal coat color changes help camouflage them in their environments.

Physically, hares have long legs and powerful hind feet that enable rapid running and agile evasion of predators. Their fur generally provides camouflage, and in some species the coat changes color with the seasons. Behaviorally, they are usually more solitary than many rabbits and rely on speed, endurance, and alertness to avoid danger. They graze on a variety of vegetation and can adjust their diet with seasonal availability, including grasses, herbs, leaves, bark, and twigs.

Reproduction and life history vary by species but typically involve multiple young per litter and foregone parental care after birth. Gestation is roughly several weeks, and leverets are left to fend for themselves soon after birth. Conservation status ranges from least concern to regional declines, influenced by habitat loss, hunting, and climate change.