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European Hare

Leporidae

Photo: (c) William Harland, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)

Lepus europaeus

Basic stats

Diet

Grasses, herbs, twigs, buds, bark, and crops

Habitat

Temperate open country and farmland

Range

Europe and parts of Asia

Size

490–620mm

Weight

3–5kg

The European hare is a large, long-legged hare of open country. Adults are roughly 490–620mm and 3–5kg, with very long ears tipped black, powerful hind legs, and a short tail black above and white below. The coat is yellow-brown to grey-brown, flecked with black. It differs from rabbits by its larger size, longer limbs and ears, and black-backed tail held low in flight. (Argentina National Parks species account)

Hares feed mainly on grasses and herbs, adding twigs, buds, bark, and field crops, especially in winter. They rest in shallow surface forms rather than burrows and rely on speed and endurance to escape predators. Although usually nocturnal and wary, spring courtship brings conspicuous daytime chasing and boxing. The opened accounts did not establish whether Mongolian records represent a continuous natural range or local introductions. (Wikipedia, general species account)

Quick answers

What does the European Hare eat?
Grasses, herbs, twigs, buds, bark, and crops
What habitat does the European Hare live in?
Temperate open country and farmland
Where is the European Hare found?
Europe and parts of Asia
How big is the European Hare?
490–620mm
How much does the European Hare weigh?
3–5kg
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