European Hare
Lepus europaeus
47.9497, 16.2292
Field Notes
Description:
The European hare has a head and body length ranging from 600 to 750 mm with a tail length of 72–110 mm. There is no noticeable sexual dimorphism in the species. As with all leporids, the hare has elongated ears which in this species ranges from 94–102 mm from the notch. The ears of the European hare are greyish white inside and have black tips on the top ends. It also has long hind feet that have a length from 142 to 161 mm. Most of the hare’s body is covered in yellowish-brown to greyish-brown fur but has greyish-white fur on the underside.
Habitat:
The European hare ranges from continental Europe though the Middle East and into central Asia. It was probably introduced to Great Britain in ancient times, partially replacing its close relative, the Mountain hare. In more recent centuries the hare has been introduced to many other areas around the world: Eastern North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and many islands including Tasmania, the Falklands, Barbados and Reunion. The species was imported to North America from Germany by a farmer living near Cambridge, Ontario, Canada in 1912. It escaped from the farm, successfully colonized fields and woodland edges, and quickly made the "Jackrabbit" a common sight in southern Ontario, New York State and New England.
Notes:
I found it today in a field near my house and thought it was cute!
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