Lepus europaeus
European hare

The natural distribution of European hares includes Great Britain and western Europe, east to through the Middle East to Central Asia (Lincoln, 1974; Broekhuizen and Maaskamp, 1980; Caillol and Meunier, 1989; Poli et al., 1991). They have been introduced by humans to several other continents. In Canada, Lepus europaeus is found in southern Ontario, around the Great Lakes, and south of the Canadian Shield. It has failed to spread further north. In the United States, European hares are now found in the north-eastern states and around the Great Lakes (Hall and Kelson, 1959). They have also been introduced to areas of South and Central America (Bonino and Montenegro, 1997) and Australia. (Bonino and Montenegro, 1997; Broekhuizen and Maaskamp, 1980; Caillol et al., 1988; Hall and Kelson, 1959; Lincoln, 1974; Poli et al., 1991)

European hares prefer open fields and pastures bordered by hedgerows and woodlots, often around agriculture fields and crops. They live in shallow forms; clumps of grass, weeds, or bush (Peterson, 1966; Bansfield, 1974; William and Whitaker, 1943). (Bansfield, 1974; Hamilton and Whitaker, 1943; Peterson, 1966)

Total length: 600-750 (average 680) mm; Ear length, from notch: 94-102 (av. 98) mm; Tail: 72-110 (av. 95) mm; Hind foot: 142-161 (av. 151) mm; Skull length: 96-104 (av. 100) mm; Skull width: 44-51 (av. 47.3) mm (Peterson, 1966; Hall and Kelson, 1959). They have long ears with black tips and which are greyish white inside. The pelage is yellowish-brown to greyish-brown, with a greyish-white underbody. The face is brown, with eye rings. The tail is black on the top and white on the bottom. In winter, L. europaeus doesn't change its pelage to white, but does become slightly more grey (Peterson, 1966; Bansfields, 1974; Dragg, 1974). There is no noted sexual dimorphism. The skull features short, broad, heavy nasal bones, and prominent anterior and posterior lobes of the supraorbital processes. It also often has a prominent subcutaneous process of the lacrimal bone, projecting from the anterior wall of the orbit (Bansfield, 1974). (Bansfield, 1974; Dragg, 1974; Hall and Kelson, 1959; Peterson, 1966)

European hares are mainly solitary animals except during mating season. They are crepuscular and nocturnal, mostly foraging at night (between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.). European hares remain active all year round. During the day they crouch in a depression called a 'form', partially concealed with their back showing (Bansfield, 1974). European hares posess an excellent sense of sight, smell, and hearing. Upon detection of a predator, European hares will run to escape, and can dodge and change direction quickly if needed. They are very fast and have been clocked at up to 35 mph (about 60 kph) running in a straight line. They will also dive into streams if needed as they are decent swimmers (William and Whitaker; Bansfield, 1974). (Bansfield, 1974; Hamilton and Whitaker, 1943)

Home Range

There is little evidence to suggest that L. europaeus stays within a restricted home range. (Bansfield, 1974; Hamilton and Whitaker, 1943)

European hares are usually quiet animals. They make low grunts from time to time and "guttural" calls from the doe (female) to her leverets. It has been suggested that European hares grind their teeth as an alarm call. They also emit a shrill call when hurt or caught (Peterson, 1966; Bansfield, 1974). (Bansfield, 1974; Peterson, 1966)

European hares are herbivorous, eating grasses, herbs, and field crops during summer. During winter European hares feed on twigs, buds, shrub bark, small trees, and young fruit tree bark. They also commonly re-ingest their green, soft fecal pellets. This is known as coprophagia. Two or three adult L. europaeus can eat as much vegetation as one sheep (Banfield, 1974; William and Whitaker, 1943; Peterson, 1966). (Bansfield, 1974; Hamilton and Whitaker, 1943; Peterson, 1966)

Known predators include red foxes, wolves, coyotes (in their introduced range in North America), wild cats, larger hawks, and owls (Bansfield, 1974). (Bansfield, 1974)

In some areas, such as Argentina, Australia and, to a lesser extent, North America, L. europaeus is a pest. The problem lies in its quick reproduction and devastation to agriculture, especially young apple orchards (Bonino and Montenegro, 1997; Bansfield, 1974; William and Whitaker, 1943). (Bansfield, 1974; Bonino and Montenegro, 1997; Hamilton and Whitaker, 1943)

European hares have become an important and challenging game animal, especially in North America. The meat is said to be white and delicious (William and Whitaker, 1943; Bansfield, 1974). (Bansfield, 1974; Hamilton and Whitaker, 1943)

European hares are widespread throughout Europe, where they are called common hares. European hares have done well in North America, with population numbers quickly rising to the current density. In Ontario population density has been as high as 100 per square mile, and has leveled to about 25 per square mile (Bansfield, 1974; Dragg, 1974). In recent decades there have been outbreaks of increased mortality due to disease, particularly in Europe. This syndrome includes acute hepatosis, enteritis, nephrosis, general jaundice, congestion, and hemorrhage of internal organs, and has been called European Brown Hare Syndrome (Poli et al., 1991). (Bansfield, 1974; Dragg, 1974; Poli et al., 1991)

Lepus europaeus is native to Europe and South Asia, and was introduced everywhere else it is presently found. For example, it was introduced to Ontario in 1912, from Germany, and in New York State in 1893, and has been a successful game animal ever since (Dragg, 1974; William and Whitaker, 1943). In other countries such as Australia and Argentina, L. europaeus is a huge pest, with introduction resulting in agricultural disaster (Dragg, 1974; Bonino and Montenegro, 1997). Other common names for the European hare: common hare, brown hare (Caillol and Meunier, 1989; Poli et al., 1991) (Caillol et al., 1988; Dragg, 1974; Hamilton and Whitaker, 1943; Poli et al., 1991)