Lepus

Lepus is a genus of mammals in the family Leporidae, order Lagomorpha. It comprises many species commonly called hares, including the European hare (Lepus europaeus), snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus), mountain hare (Lepus timidus), white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii), and black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), among others. Lepus species have a wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and parts of Africa and Asia, inhabiting forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra, and highlands. They are typically larger and more elongate than many rabbits, with long ears and strong hind legs adapted for fast running. They do not dig burrows and usually rely on speed and cover to escape predators, often being active at dawn or dusk.

Young in Lepus are precocial; females give birth to furred, open-eyed leverets in simple ground nests or forms rather than in complex burrows. Breeding can be seasonal or year-round depending on climate and food availability, with litter sizes varying by species. The diet is herbivorous, consisting of grasses, herbs, and woody vegetation, with seasonal adjustments.

Ecology and behavior: Lepus species may form small family groups or be solitary, depending on species and conditions. Some exhibit seasonal changes in fur color for camouflage in snow, notably the snowshoe hare, and in some Arctic populations of the Arctic hare. Predators include mammals, birds of prey, and humans.

Conservation: Most Lepus species are of least concern, but several face habitat loss, hunting, or climate-driven range shifts. Conservation status is assessed per species and region.