Hares and rabbits have an important place in Ireland’s biodiversity. Learn all about these fascinating mammals in a fact sheet by Mike Rendle of the Irish Hare Initiative – http://www.irishhare.org/
Hares and rabbits have an important place in Ireland’s biodiversity. Learn all about these fascinating mammals in a fact sheet by Mike Rendle of the Irish Hare Initiative – http://www.irishhare.org/
Hares and rabbits have an important place in Ireland’s biodiversity. Learn all about these fascinating mammals in a fact sheet by Mike Rendle of the Irish Hare Initiative – http://www.irishhare.org/
with pikas (a small animal found in Asia) they form the order of Lagomorphs. Lagomorphs are distinctive in that they have a second set of incisors. Rabbits and hares are One type consists of similar in some ways round fibrous balls, like but different in others. the droppings we see What they both have in in a field. The other common is that they type, called cae- are prey animals that cotrophs, look like a rely on hiding or run- small bunch of shiny ning to evade preda- black grapes and con- tors. tain important nutri- ents. Standing upright on their strong hind legs, These appear after their long ears and the food has first been panoramic eyesight digested and we hardly alert them to danger. ever see these Adult hares are about because the rabbit or twice the size of rabbits hare eats them as they but young hares may are produced. This easily be confused with may seem distasteful rabbits. to some of us, but lep- orids must do this to All leporids feed on remain nourished and vegetation, such as healthy. Some religions grass and other plants, forbid the eating of which has a relatively hares for this reason. An Irish Hare at Glenlark Nature Reserve in low food value. From County Tyrone. (Photo: Mike Rendle) Hares and rabbits this they must derive feature in the folklore ing an egg on the species of Leporid in enough energy to keep and mythology of cul- moon's surface. The Ireland; the Irish hare warm, move rapidly tures throughout the hare was believed to (Lepus timidus hiberni- and rear their young, world and Ireland is no be the earthly form of cus), the brown hare which they achieve by exception. Eostre, who gazed up (Lepus europeaeus, frequent browsing. When people first at the moon that was but sometimes referred Their teeth grow to as Lepus capensis) colonised Ireland after her home. continuously to com- the ice age, they and the rabbit pensate for the con- This lore has not (Oryctolagus cunicu- brought with them stant wear and tear only given us the name lus). Hares and rabbits pagan gods. One of from nibbling plants of our present Easter have an important these was the moon into very small pieces. holiday but also Easter place in the island's goddess Eostre, who To help them get as was worshiped in the eggs and the Easter biodiversity. many nutrients as pos- spring. Some cultures bunny (originally the Read on to learn sible, leporids have could see the image of Easter hare!). more about hares and two types of droppings. a hare (or rabbit) carry- There are three rabbits in Ireland. Brown hares were tain hare turns white in use and agriculture introduced to Ireland winter but this is rarely have contributed to by landowners in the observed in its Irish their demise. Hares 19th century to supple- cousin. However, the prefer unimproved ment game species for coat of the Irish hare land, which has hunting parties. These may vary in colour become less abundant attempts had limited throughout the year, with modern farming success because sometimes developing practices. many hares died fol- white patches. On rare Overgrazing, over- lowing their journey occasions, all-white stocking and increased from Britain. individuals have been production of silage all Also called the recorded. have a detrimental 'thrush' hare, this Larger than rabbits, affect on hares and species survived in Irish hares have black their habitat. Adults are small pockets and tips on the ears, white An Irish Hare resting sensitive to disturbance although its present on both upper and in a meadow. (Photo: and the young may be status is unknown, lower surfaces of the Mike Brown) killed by grass cutting. they are considered tail and long back legs breed throughout most Short vegetation and scarce. that give them a dis- of the year, having two the removal of rushes, There is no evi- tinctive 'walk'. or three litters with an hedgerows and other dence that brown Although hares may average litter size of cover leaves them at hares interbreed with, be found throughout two. higher risk of predation. or threaten, our native Ireland from mountain- Leverets are born Some pesticides are Irish hares. The two side to coastal grass- fully furred with eyes known to be deadly to species are hard to tell land, they are most open. The mother hare hares and other apart in the field and likely to be found in 'hides' them in vegeta- wildlife. few confirmed recent 'unimproved' areas of tion and returns only Although hares have sightings of brown species-rich vegeta- once each night to feed been hunted and hares exist. tion. them. It is normal to coursed for centuries, The Irish hare is one This provides not see a leveret on its nowadays the majority of our true native mam- only food but also own and it should of people believe that mals and is found only cover and shelter never be removed from these activities are in Ireland. It is regard- where they can lie up the wild unless it is in cruel. ed as a distinct sub- during the day out of imminent danger. There is evidence species of the sight of predators. Weaned at six that coursing can Mountain or Blue hare They do not live in weeks, the youngster cause high levels of (Lepus timidus), which burrows but in a 'nest' will be old enough to stress in hares leading is found in Britain and of flattened grass breed the following to sickness and death. Europe. called a form. year. With numbers at However, unlike its The month of March The Irish hare popu- dangerously low levels, close relation, the Irish is associated with lation has undergone a every hare is precious hare is found in most hares, when females dramatic decline over and the provision of areas and is not just may be seen fending the last thirty years and effective legal protec- confined to mountain off or 'boxing' enthusi- numbers are low. tion underpins other regions. astic males. It is widely believed conservation meas- The fur of the moun- Irish hares may that changes in land ures. Rabbits were intro- own kind. Young rab- duced to Ireland by the bits are very difficult to Normans in the 12th sex accurately, which century and are now means that buying a common throughout pair of 'females' may the island. They were lead to an unexpected kept in enclosed war- (and unwanted) popu- rens and exploited as a lation explosion. food supply. Juveniles are docile Its Latin name, and submissive, but at cuniculus, means around 3-6 months of underground passage age many become and these adaptable aggressive. animals may be found A rabbit at night. Rabbits live for about 1.5 In the wild, rabbits anywhere they can years in the wild. (Photo: Mike Rendle) become naturally com- make burrows, petitive and aggressive although they avoid the diet of other testing is becoming as they mature - wet areas. species such as buz- increasingly redundant domestic rabbits are zards and stoats. in favour of more The general popula- no different. Neutering Well known for their humane methods. tion of rabbits remains will resolve many relatively stable ability to reproduce, Although they have behavioural and breed- although numbers fluc- they can have several been domesticated for ing issues. tuate locally as a result litters each year from centuries, rabbits still Diet is important to of two virulent dis- the age of around three retain many qualities of avoid common health eases, myxomatosis months. With an aver- their wild ancestors problems. This means and viral haemorrhagic age litter size of six, and it is possible for a providing a constant disease (VHD). These these high numbers doe of any breed to supply of high fibre were introduced into are balanced by a 95% give birth to a baby material such as hay or wild rabbit populations mortality rate in their with the natural agouti grass (not grass clip- to control their num- first year and a life fur colour. pings from mowing the bers. span of only 1.5 years Contrary to popular lawn). Rabbits are vul- Domestic rabbits (domestic rabbits may belief, rabbits do not nerable animals and are also vulnerable to live 10 years or more). make good children's require a great deal of both of these highly Babies are born pets. As prey animals, care and attention. infectious diseases naked and blind in a most do not like to be They will require as and owners can special burrow, or stop, picked up and cuddled. much, if not more, arrange effective vacci- made by the doe. They need plenty of commitment and work nation for their pets at Weaned at four weeks, space and a suitable as any other family pet. their local veterinary they leave this burrow environment. With a lifespan in practice. to take their place in The traditional rabbit captivity of more than When numbers are the rabbit community. hutch is outdated and ten years, rabbits high, they are often Their ability to breed does not allow a rabbit should never be regarded as pests but has encouraged their to exhibit natural bought on impulse - they have a very use as a laboratory behaviour. Often kept there are plenty of rab- important place in the animal for testing prod- in isolation, these bits in animal sanctuar- food chain and make a ucts such as cosmet- social animals prefer ies in need of good major contribution to ics, although animal the company of their homes. Hares Rabbits Widespread but numbers in serious decline. Widespread and common but numbers fluctuate. Adults weigh 2.5 - 3.5 Kg. Adults weigh 1.5 - 2 Kg. Hares live above ground in a patch of flattened Rabbits live below ground in a series of burrows vegetation called a form. called a warren. Hares prefer to eat certain types of vegetation. Rabbits can adapt to different types of vegetation. Hares do not breed in their first year. Rabbits can breed from the age of three months. Hares may breed throughout most of the year. Rabbits breed between January and August. A female will only have around 8 leverets per year A female may have around 45 young in a year. in favourable conditions. Born fully furred with eyes open. Hides in long Born naked with eyes closed. Mother digs special grass and vegetation. Mother feeds only once at burrow or 'stop' and returns once each night to night with milk for around 6 weeks. feed with milk for around 4 weeks. Young hares are called leverets and weigh around Young rabbits are called kittens or racks and weigh 120 grams at birth. around 50 grams at birth. Hares probably only live for about 3 years in the Rabbits live for around 1.5 years in the wild. A wild. Only 25% of leverets survive the first year. mere 5% survive the first year. Very little is known about the impact of disease on Rabbits are susceptible to Myxomatosis and Viral Irish hares, but stress can cause sickness and Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) both of which are death. usually fatal.