Do you know the difference between a hare and a rabbit? Do you know how hares deal with predators (and, no, they don’t challenge them to a boxing match)? All is revealed by Charlie, our Forest Ranger at Thorpe Forest.
“I love hares. Having grown up in the Suffolk and Norfolk countryside I have always been aware of these beautiful mammals. What is immediately striking when you spot them is their size, which is similar to that of a small dog. And when they get moving – off at the speed of light!
What is the difference between a rabbit and a hare?
One of the classic questions I get asked - a lot - is what is the difference between a rabbit and a hare? A hare’s distinctive large ears with characteristic black tips, and their long hind legs, make them easy to recognise and removes the possibility of confusing them with rabbits. Hares live entirely above ground while rabbits burrow. So if the animal you are watching disappears below ground, you can be sure it’s not a hare.