In Great Britain, the European hare is seen most frequently on arable farms, especially those with crop rotation and fallow land, wheat and sugar beet crops. In mainly grass farms, its numbers increased with are improved pastures, some arable crops and patches of woodland. It is seen less frequently where foxes are abundant or where there are many common buzzards. It also seems to be fewer in number in areas with high European rabbit populations, [26] although there appears to be little interaction between the two species and no aggression. [27] Although European hares are shot as game when plentiful, this is a self-limiting activity and is less likely to occur in localities where the species is scarce. [26] Behaviour and life history [ edit ] European hare hiding in a "form" The European hare ( Lepus europaeus), also known as the brown hare, is a species of hare native to Europe and parts of Asia. It is among the largest hare species and is adapted to temperate, open country. Hares are herbivorous and feed mainly on grasses and herbs, supplementing these with twigs, buds, bark and field crops, particularly in winter. Their natural predators include large birds of prey, canids and felids. They rely on high-speed endurance running to escape predation, having long, powerful limbs and large nostrils. Mad March hares have been a staple of the English language for at least 500 years, and no doubt caught the eye of rural communities long before that. The term refers to how hares become even more energised in spring and will, chase each other, rearing up and sparring with their front paws. Fur often flies! The mating seasons of February and March are key months to see hares boxing/Credit: Andyworks, Getty Images

Ben Slimen, H.; Suchentrunk, F.; Stamatis, C.; Mamuris, Z.; Sert, H.; Alves, P. C.; Kryger, U.; Shahin, A. B.; Ben Ammar Elgaaied, A. (2008). "Population genetics of Cape and brown hares ( Lepus capensis and L. europaeus): A test of Petter's hypothesis of conspecificity". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 36 (1): 22–39. doi: 10.1016/j.bse.2007.06.014. The European hare has a wide range across Europe and western Asia and has been introduced to a number of other countries around the globe, often as a game species. In general it is considered moderately abundant in its native range, [14] but declines in populations have been noted in many areas since the 1960s. These have been associated with the intensification of agricultural practices. [67] The hare is an adaptable species and can move into new habitats, but it thrives best when there is an availability of a wide variety of weeds and other herbs to supplement its main diet of grasses. [1] The hare is considered a pest in some areas; it is more likely to damage crops and young trees in winter when there are not enough alternative foodstuffs available. [21] Vu, Alan. " Lepus europaeus: European hare". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology . Retrieved 9 January 2013. Both hares and rabbits have a reputation for a prolific rate of reproduction. The female can typically produce one to eight children in a single litter (rarely up to 15) with up to three litters per year. The amount of young usually depends on the abundance of food. The mother will typically carry the children for around 40 days. Hidden in large grasses or depressions, the young hares, also known as leverets, are born with their eyes open and their fur completely grown. They are able to begin hopping within minutes of emerging from the womb. This is because they won’t have the protection of a larger group. The mother herself only visits the children once every day for very short periods, usually to nurse them.Such superstition surrounding hare mythology appears not to have been confined to India. A book on British folklore published in 1875 recognised the status of the hare as an associate of disaster, and recommended repeating, “Hare before, Trouble behind: Change ye, Cross, and free me.” Brown hares are the country’s fastest land mammal, capable of reaching speeds up to 45mph, and can sustain speeds of more than 30mph over long distances. This speed and stamina is their primary form of defence. This is coupled with incredible acceleration. Studies show hares can accelerate at 4.4m/s 2, which is nearly twice as fast as the fastest human runner. Hares spend their entire lives above ground so their speed, acceleration and stamina is their means of escaping predators including hunting hounds. Hare Brooklyn Museum - California Hare - John J. Audubon Cape hare ( Lepus capensis) European hare (above) and mountain hare The hare was once regarded as an animal sacred to Aphrodite and Eros because of its high libido. Live hares were often presented as a gift of love. [30] Now, the hare is commonly associated with the Anglo-Saxon goddess Ēostre, and therefore pagan symbols like the Easter Bunny have been appropriated into the Christian tradition. [ citation needed] According to Jewish tradition, the hare is among mammals deemed not kosher, and therefore not eaten by observant Jews. Muslims deem coney meat (rabbit, pika, hyrax) to be halal, and in Egypt, hare and rabbit are popular meats for mulukhiyah ( jute leaf soup), especially in Cairo. [17] Blood [ edit ]

This level of understanding and appreciation for the lives and tendencies of our fellow wild creatures raises the bar and shows us that it's always a relationship of give and take, with us - the humans - using our minds to comprehend how things are and how we can consciously make the best contribution for the highest good of everyone (and everything). European Hare– Native to Europe and parts of Asia. Most common species in Europe. Habitat is open areas.A beautiful, traditional, Lakeland stone cottage with a homely range cooker and wonderful views as well! . Ground Floor: Irish hares are found in Ireland and are smaller than brown hares. Unlike mountain hares, they rarely change colour in winter. They are thought to be the only native species of Lagomorph in the British Isles (rabbits and hares were both introduced by humans). How fast can a hare run? Lamarque, F.; Barrat, J.; Moutou, F. (1996). "Principal diagnoses for determining causes of mortality in the European brown hare ( Lepus europaeus) found dead in France between 1986 and 1994". Gibier Faune Sauvage. 13 (1): 53–72. There are three types of hare in the UK: brown hare (introduced), mountain hare and Irish hare (both native). Brown hare ( Lepus europaeus)

a b Kurta, Allen (1995). Mammals of the Great Lakes Region. University of Michigan Press. p.104. ISBN 978-0-472-06497-7. The hare has impressively huge ears. In relation to body size, they are perhaps the largest among all living mammals. It is believed that they have long ears for two different reasons. First, the ears allow them to hear sound from almost any direction. Second, the ears serve to dissipate body heat and keep the hare cool, especially during the warmer months of the year. This is essential for the animal’s survival since these animals cannot sweat or pant to work off heat. In fact, when light shines through the ear, you can sometimes see the dense patchwork of blood vessels inside of it that will swell in the heat to lower body temperatures. HabitatHares have assumed a side role during Christianity’s most important celebration. It is true that eggs were painted at Easter long before the Osterhase – literally, the Easter hare – crossed the North Sea from Protestant districts of Germany, but in its own country, children were already alert for this magical animal that hid eggs in herb gardens. Oddly, the Leicestershire village of Hallaton independently acquired an ancient hare-related tradition of its own: what it calls a hare pie – which never contained any hare – was flung to a riotous crowd as an annual scramble on Easter Monday. Boxing hares are usually reported in February and March but may take place all through spring and summer. The big difference is that later in the year the crops and meadows have grown tall, hiding the hares' activities. Industrial farming has succeeded in turning turn fields into open roofed factories. Copious amounts of fertiliser and weed killers have decimated the natural environment. Plants, birds and animals that were once common sights in the countryside are now very rare or no longer exist. The fields are now only able to support the growing crop. Englightening and stylish...Readers who enjoyed the author's last book, Meadowland: The Private Life of an English Field, will find much in the same vein here: a mix of agricultural history, rural lore, topographical description and childhood memories. I learned a good deal.... Lewis-Stempel is a fine stylist, adroitly conjuring scenes in which "medieval mist hangs in the trees" or "frost clenches the ground"...' - Sara Wheeler, The Observer Trux, E. M. (2003). Schröder, K. A.; Sternath, M. L. (eds.). Überlegungen zum Feldhasen und anderen Tierstudien Dürers mit einer Datierungsdiskussion. Hatje Cantz Verlag. pp.45–55. ISBN 978-3-7757-1330-6. {{ cite book}}: |work= ignored ( help)