Brown Hare
Scientific Name:
Lepus europaeusCommon Name:
Brown HareLife Span:
Adult Hares normally live up to 3 or 4 yearsStatistics:
Head/body length 520-595mm, tail 85-120mm,Weight average 3-4kg
Physical Description:
Brown hares are larger than rabbits, with longer limbs, Very long black-tipped ears; large powerful hind legs The tail is held down when running, showing its black dorsal surface. The fur moults in spring and autumn, the summer coat being a little lighter than the reddish winter coat.Habitat:
Brown hares prefer temperate open habitats. They are found in most flat country among open grassland and arable farms. Brown Hares rely on acute senses and running at speeds of up to 70kph (45mph) to evade predators. Hares do not use burrows, but make a small depression in the ground among long grass - this is known as a formDiet:
This herbivore feeds mainly on grasses and herbs; also cereal crops, buds, twigs and tree bark. Hares and rabbits eat large quantities of plant material and so their digestive system is specially adapted to cope with this. During the day they produce soft faeces (droppings) which they then eat. This means that the food in these faeces is digested a second time, extracting more nutrition from it. Also, the faeces contain bacteria which help to break down other foods in the stomach.Behaviour:
Unlike the rabbit, the hare is solitary and does not dig burrows, but instead it lives entirely above ground. During the day it rests and sleeps in a depression in the ground called a form, which it makes by scraping out a shallow depression in the ground, just fitting its body when crouching low.If disturbed, it lies perfectly still, hoping to escape notice. If an enemy comes too near, however, the hare leaps up and runs away at speed, tail held downwards. It is built for speed, with its long hind legs and sleek body, and can reach 35 miles an hour!
The best time to see a hare is in early morning or at dusk, when it is feeding. In between nibbling plants, it frequently sits up to have a good look around. Its keen sense of smell and hearing help it to detect predators. When moving around a field, the hare stays close to the ground with its ears flat along its back. It moves slowly and carefully, so as to remain inconspicuous.
Breeding:
Hares can breed at any time of year, but the main season is between January and October, with most young born between March and September. Spring is the main mating season and this is when 'mad March hares' may be seen, sometimes a whole field of them, dashing about in a demented fashion, leaping in the air, chasing and 'boxing' with each other. The jacks (males) do most of the boxing, either with each other in a struggle for social dominance, or with jills (females) as a prelude to mating.After a gestation period of 42 - 44 days, two or three leverets (young hares) are born in a grass-lined nest within a form. Young rabbits are born blind, naked and helpless, but baby hares are born fully furred and with their eyes open. After birth, the mother puts each leveret in its own form, usually in long grass, and visits them once every night, to suckle them. While she is away, the leverets lie low and still, to avoid detection by predators.
When the mother is approaching she gives them a low call and their answering calls help her to find them.
The young are independent when about three weeks old but take eight months to reach their adult weight. A female may produce three or four litters a year.
What is its current Sussex distribution?
Despite holding a few records for Sussex, their full distribution is still not known. If you have spotted a brown hares don’t forget to send us your brown hare records
