Snowshoe hare on left and a cottontail rabbit. Photography National Park Service and U. Forest Service via Wikimedia Commons. The Legs Have It Generally speaking, hares are larger than rabbits and have longer ears and legs. Sign up for your Modern Farmer Weekly Newsletter. Notify of. Most Voted Newest Oldest. Inline Feedbacks.
Hairy Armpits. Explore Modern Farmer. Animals , Technology. They both have those long iconic ears, and strong hind legs, but they do have some anatomical differences. Hares are typically much larger than rabbits. This includes their overall body size, but hares will also have larger ears and feet than a rabbit. The only exceptions are some domestic rabbits that have been bred to be very large. Wild rabbit species are generally very small.
Hares also have a very unique skull. In addition to its distinct shape, hares have a kinetic skull that allows for movement between some of the bones that make up the skull. Rabbits and hares have different tendencies when they are faced with a predator.
Hares will try to run. Rabbits will try to hide. Since hares do not have the protection of underground burrows, they have had to learn how to run very fast to escape predators.
The fastest known species of hare, the Jackrabbit, can reach speeds of 45mph. Even fast rabbits will usually only reach speeds of 30mph. Rabbits are capable of running, for sure, but their main advantage is their ability to hide. Since rabbits have burrows they can escape to, their main defense when faced with predators is to find a way to get back to their burrow and hide, rather than long distance running.
Both rabbits and hares have seasonal shedding patterns. They will grow a thick fur coat for winter and then a thinner coat for summer. Hare coats usually change significantly more in color than rabbit coats though. In winter rabbits will typically grow a coat that is only a little lighter or greyer than their vibrant summer coat.
On the other hand, hares especially those living in cold environments usually turn white in the winter. Animals Climate change is shrinking many Amazonian birds.
Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs. Meet the people trying to help. Environment COP26 nears conclusion with mixed signals and frustration. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment As the EU targets emissions cuts, this country has a coal problem.
Paid Content How Hong Kong protects its sea sanctuaries. History Magazine These 3,year-old giants watched over the cemeteries of Sardinia. Science Coronavirus Coverage What families can do now that kids are getting the vaccine. Magazine How one image captures 21 hours of a volcanic eruption. Science Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. Where are Rabbits Found? Rabbit Reproductive System: Rabbits are well known for their reproductive capacity. What do Rabbit Eat?
Rabbit Social Behavior: Rabbits are very social creatures and survive in groups known as colonies. What is the Difference Between a Rabbit and a Hare? Rabbits and hares differ in their physical features, lifestyle, habitat, and behavior. Both animals belong to the Lagomorpha order of mammals, although there are also some similarities between the two. There are several differences in the physical features of hares and rabbits that distinguish between the two.
Hares are generally larger and faster than rabbits. Hares have long ears and large feet as compared to rabbits. Hares have black markings on their fur. Rabbits are altricial; that is, their young are born blind and hairless. On the other hand, hares are generally born with hair and can see. Young hares are, therefore, able to defend themselves very quickly after birth.
A young hare is called a leveret, and a young rabbit is called a kitten or least concern but very commonly a bunny. Hares have very long and healthy hind legs, more so than rabbits. Rabbits and hares both shed and grow new hair. This happens in both spring and fall.
Hares, especially those living in cold and snowy regions, turn white in the winter.
0コメント