Hares

Species	35 species
Diet	Herbivore
Length	16 to 30 inches
Weight	1.35 to 15.9 lb
Lifespan	2 to 12 years
Conservation Status	Varies
Classification	Mammalia > Lagomorpha > Leporidae
Habitat	Desert, Tundra, Grasslands, Swamps, Forests, Moorlands

Hares are the high-speed athletes of the animal world, built for extreme endurance rather than hiding. Unlike rabbits that retreat to underground burrows, hares live entirely in the open, relying on their massive hind legs to hit speeds of up to 45 mph. They are born fully furred and ready to run, trading “cuddly” traits for rugged survival instincts and the iconic ability to “box” during the spring.

Locations (European Hare)

Europe and Asia (Native), North & South America, Australia (Introduced)

Hares are the fastest land mammals in many countries! They can sprint at up to 45 mph—that is as fast as a car driving on a main road.
Unlike baby rabbits (which are born bald and blind), baby hares, called leverets, are born with a full coat of fur and their eyes wide open. They can hop and take care of themselves almost immediately!
In the spring, you might see hares “boxing” with their front paws. People used to think they were males fighting, but it is actually usually a female hare punching a male to tell him to back off!
With their massive, powerful back legs, hares are world-class athletes. A single leap can carry them over 10 feet (3 meters) in the air.
Some species, like the Arctic Hare, are masters of disguise. Their fur turns snowy white in the winter to hide in the snow and switches back to brown in the summer to match the dirt and rocks.
While rabbits live in underground tunnels called burrows, hares live entirely above ground. They sleep in a small, flattened patch of grass called a “form” and rely on their speed to escape if a predator finds them.

194	December 17, 2025	(North America)
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