Brown Hare vs European Rabbit

Lepus europaeus and Oryctolagus cuniculus

Brown Hare

Brown Hare

Lepus europaeus

3 photosGenus Hares and JackrabbitsFamily Hares and Rabbits
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European Rabbit

European Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

1 photosGenus OryctolagusFamily Hares and Rabbits
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Size stats

Measurements currently stored for each species

Brown Hare
Body length
50 - 70 cm
Weight
2 - 5.5 kg
European Rabbit
Body length
34 - 50 cm
Weight
1.2 - 2 kg

Habitats

Habitat tags currently stored for each species

Brown Hare
ForestGrasslandUrban
European Rabbit
ForestGrasslandUrban

Diet breakdown

Top diet proportions currently stored for each species

Brown Hare
  • Plant matter90%
  • Fruits & seeds5%
  • Fungi5%
European Rabbit
  • Plant matter90%
  • Fruits & seeds10%

Species notes

Descriptions and photographer notes

Brown Hare

The Brown Hare is much bigger than rabbits, with long ears that have black tips, strong back legs, and a unique hopping way of moving. Adults are between 50 and 70 centimetres long, with golden-brown fur and a black patch on the top of their tail. They originally come from mainland Europe but were brought to Britain by the Romans. They prefer open farmland, grassland, and crop fields. Brown Hares are mostly active early in the morning and late in the evening. They rest in shallow hollows in the ground called forms instead of digging burrows. They are well known for their amazing boxing behaviour during the spring breeding season, where they stand on their back legs and hit each other with their front paws. The Brown Hare is different from the Mountain Hare because it is bigger, does not turn white in winter, and lives mainly in lowland areas.

European Rabbit