How a hare differs from a rabbit, a comparison of species and is it possible to cross
At first glance, rabbits and hares are very similar, so many people believe that domestic "eared" descended from their wild ancestors. In fact, this is not the case. There are several dozen genera and species among members of the Hare family, the differences between which may vary. Therefore, it is necessary to figure out how a wild or domestic rabbit differs from a hare, what are the characteristic features and specific features of both representatives.
Where do they live?
Hares are found almost all over the world with the exception of Australia and Antarctica, but there are no endemic land mammals at all. In most cases, hares live in Europe, in forests and forest-steppe zones. Here they are found almost everywhere, even in populated areas, but most of them are found in the preserved wooded “islets”, in the foothills and wild sparsely populated areas.
But wild rabbits live en masse in Australia, in North and South America, in other places, but practically do not occur in Eurasia. Domestic rabbits live here - distant descendants of wild ancestors, obtained by random and purposeful centuries-old selection. On the southern continent, rabbits have become a natural disaster because they are destroying grasses needed to feed other animals, especially sheep, which are the backbone of Australia's agriculture.
External differences
Despite the relationship, hares and rabbits are easy to distinguish according to the following characteristics:
- Hares are larger than rabbits. The average weight of a white hare can reach 5.5 kilograms, a hare - up to 7 kilograms. Rabbits, on average, weigh up to 2.5-3 kilograms, although the record-holders of a number of meat breeds reach a mass of 10 kilograms.
- Hares have a rigid body structure, an elongated head and ears. Hearing is extremely important for them, so their ears are enlarged, and long legs give a chance to jump high and run fast, fleeing pursuit.
- Rabbits have a rounder head, short and wide ears, and paws that are shortened in comparison with hares. The ability to dig holes and compact dimensions are more important for them to fit in tight corridors and manholes.
- Hares are white hares and brown hares, breeds of domestic rabbits and the corresponding external features, colors dozens of times more.
- Rabbits do not change their coat color depending on the season, but hares do.In winter, they are white in order to be invisible on the snow cover, and in summer they are gray in order to merge with the color of the earth. For wild rabbits, this is not so important, because they hide underground, and selection has given domestic breeds a variety of color and length of the coat depending on their purpose - meat, meat-skin, skin or down direction.
These animals, although similar, can be easily distinguished by comparison.
How is lifestyle different?
Hares are solitary by nature, they meet with the opposite sex only during the breeding season. They roam, do not build houses, using natural shelters.
Rabbits live in sedentary groups, they dig holes where they live for years and raise offspring. Their burrows are works of art, underground multi-storey cities with multiple entrances and exits, dead ends and false recesses to deceive numerous predators.
Both species have many enemies, not counting humans. They are hunted by foxes, wild cats, lynxes, owls and other birds of prey, wild dogs, wolves, coyotes, ferrets, martens, wolverines and other animals will not refuse to eat fresh meat.
Behavioral comparison
In case of danger, both species freeze in place, trying to become as invisible as possible, or they immediately turn into a swift flight. If there is a burrow nearby, the rabbit can hide in it, and the hare will try to escape. At the same time, his movements are specific, it is not for nothing that they say "dodges like a hare."
Both representatives will protect their offspring, trying to take the predator away from the offspring, often sacrificing themselves.
Reproduction and attitude to offspring
Hares are able to reproduce within six months, in the most favorable weather conditions for the birth and rearing of offspring. In rabbits, there is no such restriction, since in burrows they can provide the offspring with comfort at any time of the year. They bring rabbits almost all year round.
Hares are born after 45 days of pregnancy, pubescent, sighted, several times larger than rabbits. They are capable, from birth they are able to instinctively hide, freezing in place at the slightest threat. Even if the mother dies, the offspring have a chance to survive. After a few days after birth, they can eat food other than breast milk, which increases their chances of survival in the wild. Hares are independent and mature early, separating from their mother.
Bunnies come into this world naked, tiny, blind and deaf, absolutely helpless and completely dependent on their mother. Pregnancy in a rabbit lasts 30 days, after 3-7 days she is ready for a new mating. Little rabbits feed on mother's milk for at least a month, they get used to other food slowly and gradually. They really need warmth, so the rabbit covers the nest with her down and warms her body in the cold.
Is crossing possible
A clear indication of the differences between animals is their genetics. They have a different number of chromosomes: in rabbits - 22, and in hares - 24. This alone is enough to make crossing between them impossible.
Not only is this unattainable in natural conditions, even attempts to combine them through genetic engineering have failed. All this allows us to confidently assert that these animals, despite all their similarities, are not close relatives and, moreover, did not descend from each other.
What is the difference between rabbit meat and hare meat?
Wild rabbits and hares are game, that is, animals hunted in natural conditions. Their meat is leaner and sinewy, has a pronounced aroma, therefore, young animals up to a year are more appreciated, which have tender, lean flesh with a pleasant smell of grass.
The meat of hares has a dark red hue, a rather dense consistency, the minimum amount of fat in the summer and a little more in the winter. In wild rabbits, it is lighter and softer, with a less noticeable aroma of game.
Domestic rabbits provide the maximum dietary product that is allowed for feeding sick and small children. Their meat is tender, light pink, lean, but juicy. It is easily absorbed, quickly digested, even in large quantities, it does not lead to obesity. It can be prepared in dozens of ways.
Hares and flesh of wild rabbits are an exquisite delicacy that is included in gourmet cuisine. It is necessary to be able to cook it correctly. To soften the hardness and reduce the pronounced odor, it is pre-soaked in whey or water with lemon juice, marinated and prepared with the addition of herbs, most often rosemary, thyme, juniper berries, pre-stuffed with lard to make it more juicy. In wild and domestic animals, almost the entire carcass is used, as well as the liver. Hare buds are a sophisticated delicacy.
