Brown Hare vs European Rabbit
Lepus europaeus and Oryctolagus cuniculus

Brown Hare
Lepus europaeus

European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Size stats
Measurements currently stored for each species
- Body length
- 50 - 70 cm
- Weight
- 2 - 5.5 kg
- Body length
- 34 - 50 cm
- Weight
- 1.2 - 2 kg
Habitats
Habitat tags currently stored for each species
Diet breakdown
Top diet proportions currently stored for each species
- Plant matter90%
- Fruits & seeds5%
- Fungi5%
- 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.