Mammals · Lagomorpha · Leporidae

European Hare

Lepus europaeus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

Unlike the rabbit, it digs no burrow: the young are born in shallow scrapes on the ground and scatter individually during the day, coming back to the mother only at dusk.

Weight

3 kg – 6 kg

Size

48 cm – 70 cm

Lifespan

3 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

GrasslandHerbivore Nocturnal Solitary Grassland Mammal

45countries 190parks11same family

Fun facts

Unlike the rabbit, it digs no burrow: it is born in a shallow scrape on the ground.
The young scatter individually during the day so as not to draw predators.
It can have three or four litters a year.
reproducciónUnlike the rabbit, it digs no burrow: its young are born furred and open-eyed, able to move about shortly after birth, in contrast to a rabbit's helpless kits.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Open farmland, grassland and fields across much of central Europe and western Asia
Birth weight: Born precocial, fully furred and with eyes open
Size at birth: Born precocial
Sexual maturity: ~8 months
Gestation / incubation: 30-42 days
Litter / clutch size: 2 to 8 leverets per litter (3-5 on average), with 3-4 litters a year