Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Lagomorpha Family: Leporidae Genus: Lepus Species: L. europaeus Binomial Name: Lepus europaeus

The European Hare or Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) is a species of hare native to northern, central and western Europe and western Asia.

It is a mammal adapted to temperate open country. It is related to the rabbit, which is in the same family but a different genus. It breeds on the ground rather than in a burrow and relies on speed to escape.

In comparison to the rabbit, it is larger in size, has longer ears and longer legs. It grows to about 50-70cm and has a tail length of 7-11cm.

The weight of a full grown adult rabbit varies between 2.5 and 6.5kg. Because of its longer legs it can run at speeds of up to 70km/h. European Hares are herbivores and its diet consists of grasses and herbs during summer months and changes to twigs and bark. It is known as a pest to orchards farmers as it also feeds upon buds of young orchard trees during the end of winter.

These hares are generally shy mammals, however, their behaviour changes in springtime. Many are seen in broad daylight chasing one another in meadows. This behaviour appears to be competitions between the males to attain dominance which allows them more access to breeding females.

During their spring dominance competitions, males can be seen performing what is known as 'boxing matches', hitting each other with their paws. It is most commonly done by the males, however, females have been known to perform this act by hitting males when they are not ready to mate or to test the determination of the male.

The hare is declining in Europe due to changes in farming practices. Its natural predators include the Golden Eagle and carnivorous mammals like the Red Fox and Wolf.

Smaller hares native to southern Europe previously regarded as European Hares have been split off as separate species in recent years, including the Broom Hare in northern Spain.