Historians agree that hares became the third animals after a dog and a cow that were tamed by humans. Now in nature there are 48 species of hares. They settled everywhere, except for Australia and Antarctica. Let's look at individual species to find out which is the largest hare in the world.
The largest species of hares:
Giant Menorca Hare / Nuralagus rex
Let's start with the fossil species that lived on the island of Menorca about 12 million years ago. This is the largest hare that once ran around the planet.
Individual individuals could reach 23 kg, although the remains indicate that, on average, these giants reached a weight of 12 kg. The remains of predatory animals were not found on the island, and therefore the giant hare lost its speed skills, which led to an increase in mass and an increase in size.
This giant, most likely, was clumsy and slowly moved. The limited habitat has led to the extinction of the historical species.
By the way, on our site thebiggest.ru you can find photos of animals that are on the verge of extinction.
1
European hare / Lepus europaeus
The native inhabitant of the Eurasian and African steppes, the hare is the largest hare in the world. In length they grow up to 70–72 cm, and weigh from 4 to 6 kg.
There have been cases in history when individual representatives of a species reached a weight of 7–8 kg. The largest individuals live in the north of the range, since a large amount of subcutaneous fat is required for survival. In the autumn-winter period changes coat.
They have a big head and long ears. In Russia, this is the most common type. In open space, speeds up to 60 km / h. It mixes up tracks well and swims well. Mermaids are quiet animals that make almost no sounds.
2
Alaskan Hare / Lepus othus
Photo by JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA
Along with the Arctic hare, an Alaskan resident disputes the right to be considered North America's greatest hare. Adults grow up to 70 cm.
He has long hind legs, up to 20 cm with which he easily moves in deep snow. The habitat was chosen by the western part of the peninsula, having inhabited stony slopes and open expanses of the tundra. In summer, the hare is dressed in a gray-brown coat, but in winter it turns white. Only the tips of the ears remain black.
Feel calm at an altitude of up to 600 m above sea level. They lead a lonely lifestyle, creating pairs only during the breeding season.
3
Arctic hare / Lepus arcticus
Photo by: Michael Haferkamp / CC BY-SA 2.0 DE
Adapted to live in harsh polar conditions and mountainous terrain, the hare has recently been isolated. One of the largest hare family.
They grow from 60 to 70 cm in length, and weigh about 5 kg on average. Powerful long hind legs allow them to run fast, as well as jump in deep snow. They have a small fluffy tail and long ears.
Arctic hare has populated the tundra zones of Greenland, northern Canada and the island of Newfoundland. Big beautiful hare perfectly adapted to the harsh Arctic climate. They live in one place, but can make seasonal migrations in search of food.
4
White hare / Lepus timidus
You can meet a large animal in the northern regions of Eurasia from Scandinavia to the Northeast regions of China. They grow to 65 cm in length. At the beginning of the twentieth century, hunters recorded individuals that were 74 cm long.
On average, females and males of this species weigh 3-4.5 kg. The largest whites are found in Western Siberia. Here they gain weight up to 5.5 kg. Hare molt twice a year, changing summer gray-brown color to winter white coat color.
Belyak easily adapted to life next to a person. In addition, he reaches for agricultural land, providing animals with food. The whitewash is active at dusk and at night.
5
Broom / Lepus castroviejoi
This species has chosen the habitat of the northwestern regions of Spain, and is not found anywhere else. On the Iberian Peninsula, the hare found everything necessary for life.
They grow from 45 to 65 cm in length, and weigh 3-4 kg. They live high in the mountains, and eat plant foods. Zoologists have not yet studied all the habits and lifestyle of an amazing representative of a large hare family.
The species is threatened with extinction, and therefore is listed in the Red Book and is protected by the laws of Spain. The main threats to downsizing are hunting, predators, as well as changes in the natural habitat.
6
White-Tailed Hare / Lepus townsendii
Our list continues to the inhabitant of the North American continent, which received its scientific name in honor of the famous American zoologist and naturalist John Kirk Townsend.
The range is limited to the border areas of the United States and Canada. Adults grow up to 65 cm, and gain weight from 2.7 to 3.5 kg. Sexual dimorphism is observed, as females are much larger and more massive than males. Leads a nocturnal lifestyle, controlling a certain territory.
It feeds on grass, bark of trees, and in winter eats shoots of shrubs. Massive hind limbs allow you not to drown in snowdrifts.
7
Black-Tailed Hare / Lepus californicus
In the western regions of the United States and in Mexico, you can meet a nimble animal with a small black tail. This feature of appearance and gave the name.
On the territory of settlement they are also called the Californian hare. They grow in length from 48 to 63 cm, and weigh an average of 2-3 kg. It can be distinguished from relatives by wide ears. They are the same length as the brothers, but much wider.
He mastered dry prairies, and part of the population lives at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level. They feed on plants, branches, tree bark. But they practically do not drink water, getting moisture from plants.
8
Corsican Hare / Lepus corsicanus
By name, you can understand that the habitat of this species is Central Italy, Sicily, and, of course, the island of Corsica. They grow to 62 cm in length.
On the back, the coat is gray-brown, and the abdomen has a characteristic cream color. Settled in shrubbery territories, huge pastures, meadows and dunes. It speeds up to 55 km / h. He raises his head high above the grasses to see the predator in advance.
It feeds on green shoots, seeds. With an increase in population, it can cause significant damage to agricultural land. Initially, he lived in Sicily, and then was artificially introduced by man to Corsica and mainland Italy.
9
Antelope Hare / Lepus alleni
At the sight of this resident of the western regions of Mexico, you might think that this is a big jerboa. Long fore and hind legs, large ears.
Adult females and males grow up to 60 cm in length, and ears reach 20.5 cm. Their ears are not only for hearing, but also for adjusting the temperature. Inhabited in a region with a hot climate, they prefer to get out of the shelter after sunset, when the earth's surface becomes cooler.
Long fore and hind limbs allow them to run fast, hiding from natural enemies in the wild. This species has easily adapted to life near a person, and its population is not affected by anthropogenic changes in its natural habitat.
10
Shrub hare / Lepus saxatilis
South of the Sahara desert in the central part of the African continent inhabits a large species of hare, growing up to 60 cm in length. Its appearance is similar to the Cape fellow, but much larger.
Above, the coat is gray-brown with black dots, but on the abdomen the coat is light. A distinctive feature is a white speck on the forehead of the animal. They settle in the forest and in open spaces covered with shrubs.
They can populate areas near agricultural fields. They live alone, but in places with an abundance of food you can meet huge flocks of bushy hare species.
11
Cape Hare / Lepus capensis
The rating of large modern representatives of the hare family is opened by the inhabitant of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East. The species was introduced to Australia artificially.
Brown coat color allows the hare to hide in open spaces. On long ears there are black spots at the very tip. A fairly large species, whose adults reach a body length of 55 cm. They weigh from 1.6 to 2.7 kg.
They have many natural enemies, and therefore hares of this species prefer to lead a nocturnal lifestyle. The man also preys on them because of tasty meat and valuable skins.
Finally
Zoologists, studying habits and lifestyles of hares, found out that they are pretty smart animals. In the course of evolution, they learned to hide from dangers, to confuse traces. Only during breeding males lose caution. Hares communicate with each other through a peculiar drum roll. In addition, everyone knows where the sound will be better heard.
The thebiggest.ru editorial office asks you to write in the comments what even larger types of hares we could miss from our focus.
Article author: Valery Skiba