Rabbits and Hares
Although the names rabbit and hare are often used interchangeably, in zoological classification the species called rabbits are characterized by the vulnerability of their young, born naked with closed eyes, and by their habit of living in colonies. Species designated as hares are born furred and with open eyes, and the adults merely construct a simple nest and usually live alone. Hares are normally larger than rabbits and have longer ears. Skulls of rabbits and hares are also markedly different.
Distributed throughout the world, hares and rabbits have many common characteristics. Both groups breed prolifically, having four to eight litters a year, with three to eight young in each litter. Their gestation period is only about a month and the young reach sexual maturity in about six months, and have a life span of about ten years. These animals, which weigh from about 2 to 11 lb and attain a length of about 12 to 24 in, feed mainly on herbs, tree bark, and vegetables. Although rabbits and hares are valued as game by hunters, as food, and for their fur, they often are pests to farmers whose trees and crops they destroy.
Jackrabbits, the fastest of the hares, achieve speeds of about 45 mph and can leap 15 to 20 ft in a single jump.
Domesticated rabbits have extremely varied characteristics, ranging in color through every shade, and mixture, from pure white to all black; in coat from very short to long, silky hair capable of being woven; and in style of ears from the erect ear to the floppy ear, which hangs to the ground. Rabbits; unlike rats, hamsters, mice or gerbils, are not rodents. They belong to a different group of mammals called lagomorphs. In fact, a scientific experiment has shown that rabbits are more like hoofed animals than rodents. There are 3 general groups of lagomorphs: rabbits, hares, and less generally know, Pikas.
For further reading about rabbits and hares I recommend:
Chadwick, Douglas and Wolfe, Art. The Kingdom: Wildlife in North America.
The Sierra Club, 1990.
Describes natural history of North American animals and their
environment. Lavishly illustrated.
Nowak, Ronald and others. Wild Animals of North America. National Geographic, 1979. Naturalists' personal observations, and beautiful illustrations.