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The hare - Hare - Lepus europaeus

Order: Lagomorphs - Family: Leporidae

Lepus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1778)

Biogeographical placement:
Eurocentral Asian-Mediterranean-Ethiopian

A Front paw print:
length ~5 cm; width ~3 cm

P Hind paw print :
length ~6-12 cm; width ~3.5 cm

Distinctive features: head-body length 480-700 mm; tail 74-110 mm; hind foot 110-160 mm; weight 2.5-6.5 kg. Slender body, laterally compressed, rather small head well distinguished from the body; large eyes; long ears; moderately developed tail, black on top. Hind limbs longer than the front ones. General structure adapted for running and jumping. Fur rather soft, dominant color tawny grayish with blackish shades on the back; lower parts and inner limbs whitish, tip of ears black.

Habitat: plain, hill, mountain up to 2000 m altitude; in various environments such as cultivated fields but also woods, especially broad-leaved, heaths and dunes.

Habits: mainly nocturnal, in quiet situations it leaves its shelter even in broad daylight. Sedentary and solitary, it never strays from its own territory. Runs fast and for long distances, makes very long jumps, swims if necessary; has very fine hearing and smell. The shelter consists of a slight hollow in the ground in a sheltered and dry place, semi-hidden by rocks and bushes. The shelter is changed from time to time, in winter it is in sunnier areas and is deeper. Feeds on fresh but also dry plants, seeds and tree bark. The reproductive period often extends throughout the year, with 3-4 litters; after a gestation of 42 days, 2-4 young are born weighing 110-130 g, completely covered with fur and with open eyes; they are weaned after 3 weeks, become independent at one month. Sexual maturity is reached at 6-8 months. In the wild, it can live up to 4-6 years, exceptionally up to 12-13. It is preyed upon by Carnivores, especially Fox, Marten, Beech Marten, Weasel, Wildcat, by many Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes.

Status: numerous.

General distribution: Europe (except part of Scandinavia); Asia Minor, Middle East. It has been introduced in Ireland, southern Sweden, southern Siberia, Far East, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, New Zealand, Australia, some regions of North America. In Italy: the whole territory, including the islands. In the Region: everywhere.

Existing protection: huntable species (L. 11/02/1992, n. 157). Species protected by the Bern Convention (L. 5/8/1981, n. 503, in force since 1/6/1982 in Italy).

Notes: due to the massive restocking for hunting purposes carried out in our country, there have been real "genetic contaminations" of native populations with individuals imported from other countries.

SCHEDA LEPRE.pdf