The difference is in more than just the name, but what is the real difference between a rabbit and a hare? Let us explore, because there are quite a few differences, not just the name.

What does science say?

Even though rabbits and hares look quite a bit alike, they are actually different species. Sort of like goats and sheep are members of the same order but different species. While they share the same long ears, strong back legs, a divided upper lip and a plant-based diet, rabbits and hares are actually quite a bit different from each other.

Both members of the lagomorpha order of mammals, there are huge differences in the way they look, how they act and how they live. Genetically, rabbits have 44 chromosomes versus a hare’s 48. The word bunny is usually used to refer to a rabbit in an affectionate, cute way. A bunny is not actually a separate animal at all.

Appearance

While baby rabbits are blind, have no fur and totally depend on their mothers at birth, in contrast, baby hares have fully functioning sight and all their fur. Baby hares are called leverets and they can move under their own steam within an hour of being born. Speaking of babies, another difference between hares and rabbits is the length of time they are pregnant. A hare’s pregnancy is usually 42 days long and a rabbit’s is around 30 days.

Rabbits are also smaller than hares and have shorter hind legs and shorter ears. A hare commonly has black markings on their ears, while a rabbit typically does not. A rabbit’s fur does not change color over their lifetime while a hare goes from white in the winter to brownish-gray in the summer months for camouflage.

Diet and lifestyle

Not only do rabbits look different from hares, they also prefer different foods. Hares feast on hard tree bark and twigs while rabbits like their veggies, especially carrots, and grasses. Rabbits also enjoy fresh fruits and can’t get enough fresh hay, either meadow grass or Timothy.

In the wild, a rabbit will burrow under the ground to make their home and a nest for their young. Hares, on the other hand, live above ground. The cottontail species of rabbit is the only known species to live above ground like a hare.

Behavior

When danger is near, rabbits prefer to hide underground and wait until the coast is clear. Hares, by contrast, run away from danger using their powerful hind legs. Have you ever heard of the word “harebrained” or “mad as a March hare”? This term likely comes from the hare’s foolish, flighty behavior when cornered. This behavior is great for avoiding predators but not so great in a pet.

Perhaps the biggest difference between rabbits and hares is that rabbits can be tamed and kept as pets. Hares are anti-social, spending most of their time alone and only pairing up once in a while to mate. Even when bottle-fed from birth, hares in captivity never become fully tame.

So what do you think? Is the picture above of a rabbit or a hare?