Brown Hare

Brown Hare - Lepus europaeus

Alternative names
Hare
Description

It is larger, longer-eared and longer-legged than a Rabbit with a body length of 50-70 cm. 

Similar Species

An adult European rabbit can appear similar from a distance.

Identification difficulty
Identification aids

The Rabbit but has a distinctive "hopping" gait as it runs away (compared to a Hare which is more greyhound-like).  The Hare tucks its tail between its hind legs to hide its white underside, whereas the white tail of the Rabbit is often clearly seen as it runs away.

The Hare has distinctive black-tips on the ends of its ears

Recording advice

A photograph is preferable or a description of the animal should be made in the comments.  Clear photographs of droppings should also indicate size.

Habitat

Fields, hedgerow bottoms, woodland and open countryside.

When to see it

All year round

Life History

It breeds on the ground rather than in a burrow and relies on speed to escape. Normally shy animals; hares change their behaviour in spring, when they can be seen in broad daylight chasing one another around meadows. During this spring frenzy, Hares can be seen "boxing". This is when Hares strike one another with their paws. For a long time it had been thought that this was inter-male competition but closer observation has revealed that it is usually a female hitting a male, either to show that she is not yet quite ready to mate or as a test of his determination.

UK Status

Less common now, than previously, probably due to changes in land use. It remains widespread in lowland Britain, but scarce in the Highlands.  It is only partly protected and is still considered a game species so can be shot throughout the year on enclosed land and between 11th Dec and 31st March on unenclosed land (with landowner permission).

VC55 Status

Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records