Thursday 19 April 2007

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)

OTHER NAMES: Hare, Common Hare, European Hare
Latin Etymology: Lepus ("hare") europaeus ("of Europe")
Adult Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus - unknown subspecies) at Geddington, Northants - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: ?
Length: 53cm  /  Weight: 3800g
UK STATUS NOT EVALUTATED IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The brown hare may initially seem like a rabbit but there are notable differences - the longer ears and more athletic build, not to mention the larger size in general being the main give aways. Hares also do not have burrows but sit upon the surface and hide - often they will not move until you are practically on top of them. It is typically a creature of field and grassland, but actually I've had some substantial luck in certain locations with wide grassy and rarely used paths through woodland bordering fields - it would seem that perhaps the lack of disturbance by machinery so often works may work in their favour.

Related Species: 
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Lepus
SUBSPECIES: L. e. caspicusL. e. connoriL. e. creticusL. e. cypriusL. e. cyrensisL. e. europaeusL. e. hybridusL. e. judeaeL. e. karpathorumL. e. mediusL. e. occidentalisL. e. parnassiusL. e. ponticusL. e. rhodiusL. e. syriacus, and L. e. transsylvanicus

- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but local resident.
 - Seen at sites including Pitsford ReservoirTrevose Head and Geddington.

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus,  IUCN Red ListRSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto 

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