Brown hare

Lepus europaeus

Brown hares were introduced by the Romans (or perhaps even earlier) from the Netherlands, and is now considered to be naturalised in the UK. The brown hare looks very much like a rabbit but is bigger with longer ears and longer and more powerful hind legs. Their ears have distinctive black tips, and their eyes are amber. Their tails are black on top compared to the brown of mountain hare and white of rabbit. They measure 50-70cm in length, and weigh around 2-5kg. They live for 2-4 years.

Brown hares do not use burrows (unlike rabbits) and are often seen resting in shallow depressions up to 10cm deep, known as ‘forms’. Breeding takes place between February and July and a female can rear up to four litters a year, each of one to four young. The young (called leverets) are born covered in fur, with their eyes open and are left by the female in forms a few metres from their birth place. Once a day for the first four weeks of their lives, the leverets gather at sunset to be fed by the female, but otherwise they receive no parental care.

Brown hares are the fastest mammal on land in Britain, with a top speed of c.45mph. Speed is their main defence from predators such as foxes. When they run, they tuck their tail down so that the white underside is hidden. They are mainly active at night and tend to forage at dusk and dawn.

What they eat

They are herbivores consuming grass shoots, cereal and other agricultural crops, and herbs.

Where and when to see them

Brown hares are likely to be seen in farmland habitats, particularly where cereal crops are grown. They may also be spotted in woodland, and grassland.
These mammals can be seen all year round from January to December but are mostly active at night, generally foraging at dusk and dawn.

View a brown hare 10km distribution map of Wales

Legal status

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, and a Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. However, the brown hare is considered a game species and can be shot throughout the year. They are the only game species in the UK without a closed season, when hunting is prohibited.

Field Signs

Droppings

Brown hare droppings are larger (1.5cm-2cm in diameter) and more flattened than the rabbit’s (<1cm diameter). They tend be a greenish brown colour, are more fibrous and are sweet smelling (described as a damp digestive biscuit with a hint of mown hay!).

Prints

Footprints are distinctive by the position of their feet. Their long hind feet are parallel and the fore feet are often between them. They measure 2.5cm in width, and 3.5cm in length.

Similar species

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Rabbits were also introduced, but are now considered a naturalised species. It is native to Spain and was introduced to this country by the Normans in the 12th century to provide food and fur. These mammals have long ears and hind legs with brown grey fur, brown eyes and a fluffy white tail. Rabbits are smaller than brown hares and they do not have black tips on ears. Rabbits generally measure 40 – 45 centimetres in length and have ears that measure 8.5 centimetres long.

They can be seen in gardens, allotments, parks, heaths, grassland, meadows, woodland and sand dunes. Rabbits construct extensive burrow systems called warrens. Warren tunnels can be 1 – 2 metres long. The nest at the end of the tunnel is lined with grass, moss and belly fur. They use regular trails, which they scent mark with faecal pellets. They are herbivores eating grass, vegetables, bulbs and bark. Rabbits tend to hop along, whereas hares tend to walk.

Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus)

This is the indigenous hare of the UK, and is found in the heath moorlands of the uplands. It is largely confined to Scotland and Northern England, and highly unlikely to be seen in the Gwent Levels area.

Did you know?

Two brown hares 'boxing' in the fields are unlikely to be two males fighting. Rather, it is more likely to be a female warding off the advances of an unwanted male. If a fight does happen, the two hares will stand on their hind legs and strike out with their front paws.