What is the difference between a hare and a rabbit
Each of us at least once in our life had a question, what is the difference between a hare and a rabbit. Naturally, the main difference for many of us is that the rabbit is a domestic animal, while the hare is a wild animal.
The difference between a hare and a rabbit
There is some truth in this conclusion, but much remains hidden. In fact, rabbits and bunnies, although they belong to the lagomorph species, are completely different animals. They have common ill-wishers and taste preferences, and they are also slightly similar in appearance. This is where the similarities end. There are many more differences.
Area
The hare lives everywhere. This prevalence is explained by the fact that it was accidentally brought from the European continent. The only exceptions are Australia and a group of small islands, especially far from continents.
The maximum concentration of rabbits is observed in North America. Due to the so-called inter-American exchange, these animals appeared in South America. Naturally, a huge number of these animals are found in other territories, but here they can only be found as pets, and not representatives of the wild.
Thus, first of all, a rabbit differs from a hare in its habitat.
Differences in the way of life of these animals are no less serious. Hares are a prominent representative of solitary animals. They cannot be seen in pairs or even in small flocks, while rabbits live in families. Rabbits treat their own habitat with full responsibility, as they get used to it, try to systematically improve and protect it.
Appearance
Also, very often, even in small children, the question arises, how does a hare differ from a rabbit externally. The main influence on the differences in appearance was the way of living of these animals. It is safe to say that a rabbit, like a hare, has very long ears, a short and small tail, powerful legs and a specific shape of teeth.
In addition, there are some differences:
- Rabbits are always much smaller than wild hares;
- The color of the rabbits at any time of the year remains the same and does not change; hares, on the other hand, acquire a white color in winter, and change it to gray in summer;
Rabbit appearance
- Due to the fact that rabbits spend a significant amount of time in a fairly limited space, their ears are slightly smaller than the ears of an animal such as a hare.
- Due to the fact that hares have a huge amount of time to jump and run, their legs are an order of magnitude longer than the legs of a rabbit, which can only dig holes for housing.
The appearance of a hare
Reproduction
Bunny breeding lasts for six months: from mid-spring to mid-autumn. If we consider rabbits, then the rabbit is ready to bring small children all year round. Moreover, her pregnancy period does not exceed one calendar month, but in rabbits this period can reach 45 days, and sometimes more.
Rabbit cubs are born blind and naked, helpless and even deaf. All the rabbits go around their little babies very carefully, carefully and diligently.
Newly born rabbits are almost fully formed individuals. From the first days of birth, they hear and see everything, they have wool, which is not characteristic of the lagomorph family. Also, a bunny differs from a rabbit in that from the first days after birth it can eat the same food as adults. In addition, the hare does not differ in caring for her children. Most often, she gives birth to them in some arbitrary place and subsequently abandons them forever, despite the fact that they are small.
Character and behavior
Rabbits can be called quite social creatures, capable of communicating with humans. In addition, they always live in large families, which have a strict hierarchy and life structure. As for hares, they are together for a short period of time, which most often falls on the period of mating games.
Rabbits are kinder and more peaceful than hares. They can be quickly tamed and thus domesticated. They are often found not only on farms, in private houses, but also in ordinary apartments. As for hares, they cannot live in a cage. There have been some attempts to domesticate the hare. As practice has shown, he does not get used to such conditions, running away at the first opportunity.
At night, hares feel confident, as they have excellent vision and hearing characteristics.
When attacking housing, the hares immediately run away, and the rabbits try to defend their own family and habitat in any way. Also, rabbits always warn their relatives about impending danger with certain sounds that we do not hear. They are real defenders not only of their family, but also of their neighbors.