Many people wonder if hares and jackrabbits are the same animal. Jackrabbits are a type of hare, but not all hares are jackrabbits. Neither hares nor jackrabbits are considered “true” rabbits. This distinction often surprises those familiar only with their common names, as despite superficial similarities, they have significant biological differences.
The Hare Family Tree: Understanding Scientific Classification
Hares and true rabbits both belong to the same biological family, Leporidae, within the order Lagomorpha. However, they are classified into different genera. Hares, including all species commonly known as jackrabbits, fall under the genus Lepus.
In contrast, true rabbits belong to other genera within the Leporidae family, such as Oryctolagus (European rabbit) and Sylvilagus (cottontail rabbits). There are approximately 32 species of true hares in the genus Lepus, while rabbits are classified into ten other genera within Leporidae.
Key Differences Between Hares and True Rabbits
Hares and true rabbits exhibit several notable differences in their physical characteristics, reproductive strategies, and behaviors. Hares are generally larger with longer ears and more powerful hind legs, which are adapted for sprinting across open terrain. Their fur often has black markings on the ears and can change color seasonally, such as the snowshoe hare turning white in winter. Rabbits, conversely, tend to be smaller, with shorter ears and legs, and typically maintain a consistent fur color year-round.
Reproductively, hares are born precocial, meaning their young, called leverets, are born fully furred, with open eyes, and are mobile within hours of birth. They are left in shallow ground depressions called “forms” rather than in burrows. Rabbit kits, on the other hand, are altricial, born blind, hairless, and helpless, requiring extensive parental care in underground burrows known as warrens. Hares are typically solitary animals, interacting primarily during breeding, while many rabbit species are more social and live in groups within their burrow systems.
Unique Traits of Jackrabbits
Jackrabbits, as specific types of hares, possess distinct traits that help them thrive in their environments. Their most recognizable features are their exceptionally long ears, which can measure up to 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) in some species. These large ears are not only for acute hearing to detect predators but also serve as a thermoregulatory mechanism, helping them dissipate body heat in hot climates by increasing blood flow to the ears.
Jackrabbits also have long, powerful hind legs that enable impressive speed and agility. They can reach speeds of up to 40-45 miles per hour (64-72 km/h) in short bursts. When escaping danger, they often run in a zigzag pattern, making it difficult for predators like coyotes and hawks to pursue them effectively. Jackrabbits prefer open habitats such as grasslands, plains, and deserts, relying on their speed and camouflage for survival rather than seeking refuge in burrows. Their diet consists primarily of grasses, shrubs, forbs, and sometimes cacti, from which they can obtain much of their necessary moisture.