Splitting Hares

Continuing last week’s theme of animal comparisons, we will examine the tortoise’s fabled racing opponent, the hare and try to figure out how it’s different from a standard rabbit. Both are members of the mammalian order of lagomorphs, along with a cute little critter called the pika (which we won’t discuss today).

Desert cottontail, a rabbit species (NSP)

Jackrabbit, a hare species in spite of its name
(NPS)

Unlike the functional differences between turtles and tortoises, the differences between rabbits and hares are mainly cosmetic. In general, hares are larger and have longer ears. But there are more differences, being on Day One (before, actually).

Hares have a longer gestation period, by about two weeks. If rabbit and hare litters are born the same day, the hares will have fur and open eyes. They quickly become mobile. The rabbits will be hairless, blind, and cold. Unlike you, they can’t regulate their body temperatures. If you see a baby bunny just keep in mind, baby hares have hairs.

Baby hares are called leverets (USFWS)

Baby rabbits are called kits or kittens (Rabbit Smarties)

Hares live in above ground nests, while rabbits with the exception of the cottontail, are subterranean nesters. Hares are also faster and skittish, while rabbits are more relaxed and make better pets. Don’t try to catch a wild one to keep as a pet though.

So like last week, we found some similar looking critters, but there are differences. One thing these wascally wabbits have in common is that they both multiply like rabbits. Or hares.

This week’s information comes from NationalGeographic.