What is the Difference Between Bunny and Hare?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main differences between bunnies (rabbits) and hares are:

  1. Size: Hares are larger than rabbits, with longer hind legs and ears. Rabbits measure up to 40 cm in length and weigh 1.2-2 kg, while hares can reach up to 70 cm and weigh from 2-5 kg.
  2. Appearance: Hares have a grizzled russet brown color with pale bellies, amber eyes, black-topped white tails, and longer black-tipped ears. Rabbits are more of a grey-brown color, have shorter ears, dark brown eyes, and a fluffy white cotton ball tail.
  3. Lifestyle: Hares are solitary animals, living their whole life above ground and sleeping in a shallow dip called a form. Rabbits, on the other hand, live in groups of up to 20 in underground tunnels known as warrens.
  4. Birth and Development: Baby hares (leverets) are born with fur and sight, and they can move on their own within an hour of their birth. Baby rabbits (kittens or bunnies) are born hairless, blind, and helpless, totally dependent on their mothers.
  5. Behavior: Hares are generally shy and avoid social interaction, while rabbits live in complex social structures, forming families and depending on cooperation.
  6. Habitat: Hares are found in open fields and grasslands, while rabbits live in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and deserts.

Comparative Table: Bunny vs Hare

Bunnies and hares are both members of the Lagomorpha order, but they belong to different species and exhibit distinct differences in physical appearance, behavior, and lifestyle. Here is a table summarizing the differences between bunnies and hares:

Feature Bunnies Hares
Size Smaller, up to 40cm in length and 1.2-2kg in weight Larger, up to 70cm in length and 2-5kg in weight
Appearance Fur color remains the same year-round Fur color changes seasonally
Ears Shorter ears Longer ears with black markings
Hind Legs Shorter hind legs Longer hind legs
Social Behavior Live in groups, up to 20 in underground warrens Live alone or in pairs in above-ground nests,
Offspring Care Born hairless and blind, totally dependent on mothers Born with fur and sight, can move on their own within an hour of birth

Both bunnies and hares are prey animals, and they share some similarities in their behavior, such as being highly alert and designed for speed to escape predators. However, the differences listed above set them apart in terms of their physical appearance, social behavior, and reproductive strategies.