Rabbits and hares are often confused and mixed-up by those who are not very familiar with these two types of lagomorphs.
Nonetheless, rabbits and hares are from different genera in the Leporidae family.
As such, each one has distinctive characteristics and rabbits and hares cannot mate.
To better understand how wild hares compare to both wild and domesticated rabbits, let’s take a closer look at these two small mammals.
Are Rabbits And Hares The Same
Rabbits and hares are not the same although they may look the same to an untrained eye!
An immediate difference is how we humans relate to the two is that rabbits have been successfully domesticated and can be kept on homesteads or even in the house as pets, while hares have never been successfully domesticated and have remained the wild cousin of the Leporidae mammal family.
Similarities Between Hares and Rabbits
Because rabbits and hares are mammals of the same family, they do share some characteristics, which include:
- Strict herbivores diet
- Elongated ears on the top of their head
- Open rooted teeth that never stop growing
- Strong hind legs
- Seasonal shedding of fur
However, rabbits and hares each belong to a different genera, rabbits to Oryctolagus and hares to Lepus.
Unlike horses and donkeys, which are closely related and can breed to produce a sterile mule offspring, rabbits and hares are so distantly related that their reproduction systems (not to mention social, behavior, and life cycle habits) are not compatible and therefore rabbits and hares cannot mate.
Differences Between Rabbits And Hares
Before talking about all the differences between a hare and a rabbit, we must mention that while there are 10 genera that encompass all different species of rabbits, there is only one genus that all species of hares belong to.
That in and of itself demonstrates that the evolution of rabbits throughout the years has been much more diverse than that of hares.
This is one of the main reasons why rabbits and hares cannot breed!
Rabbits and Hares: Physical Differences
| Feature | Rabbit | Hare |
| Body Size | 1.5 to 2+ ft | 1 to 1.5 ft |
| Body Weight | Up to 20 lbs | Up to 12 lbs |
| Color | Various | Brown, gray, white |
| Ears | Straight or floppy, small | Straight and large |
| Legs | Smaller hind legs | Larger hind legs |
| Fur | Long or short, thick or thin, usually soft | Normally shorter with coarser back fur |
| Number of Chromosome Pairs | 22 | 24 |
Rabbit and Hares: Behavioral Differences
Due to the behavioral differences between rabbits and hares, these two small mammals live very different lives that do not usually coincide with the other.
For starters, rabbits are natural burrowers and live in underground nests (that’s right, digging is normal for your domestic rabbit!) but hares make their nests above ground, never digging or making a burrow.
Additionally, rabbits are very social animals and wild bunnies always live in groups of a dozen or more individuals (which is why we highly recommend raising at least two rabbits!), while hares are solitary mammals that will only come together during mating season.
Mating for rabbits is usually not very showy, while hares exhibit seasonal ‘boxing’ behavior between females that are unreceptive and pushy males.
Finally, hares are much more skittish and nervous than rabbits.
They have never been domesticated and by nature are even more timid and cautious than any wild or domesticated rabbit.
Rabbits and Hares: Life Cycle Differences
Some of the most striking differences between rabbits and hares is in their life cycles:
- Rabbit babies are called kits while baby hares are known as leverets.
- Rabbit kits are born hairless and blind in an underground burrow while hare leverets are born with hair and open eyes in an above ground nest.
- Hares have a gestation period of about 40 days while rabbit gestation period is about 31 days.
- Rabbits frequent meadow, forest and mountainous habitat while hares are usually only found in open fields and pasture.
- Rabbit mating season is March thru September while hare mating season is a more extended period of time from January until October.
It’s True – Rabbits and Hares Cannot Mate
All of these physical, behavioral, and life cycle differences make it biologically impossible for a wild or domestic rabbit and a hare to mate.
So, while a hare may approach your homestead or pet rabbit if it is passing time in a safe open meadow, this skittish wild cousin will not likely interact with your bunny and mating will surely be the last thing on its mind!
Are Jackrabbits Hares Or Rabbits
Although the common name is deceiving, jackrabbits are actually hares!
This makes sense upon second glance once you realize that their physical characteristics are those of a hare rather than of a rabbit.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits and Hares Mate
Are Rabbits And Hares Related?
Yes, rabbits and hares are both lagomorphs of the Leporidae family. However, their evolutionary history splits there and they remain today very distant biological relatives.
Can Hares Be Kept As Pets?
Unlike the domestic rabbit that we have today, which is friendly and cuddly, hares have never been successfully domesticated.
However, there are domesticated rabbit breeds, such as the Belgian hare, that are selectively bred to look like hares. These rabbits have bigger hind legs and a more athletic, hare-like body.
Can Wild Rabbits And Hares Mate?
No, even wild rabbits and hares cannot breed. Wild rabbits are very closely related to domestic rabbits (for example, wild rabbits and domestic rabbits can mate) but hares are part of an altogether different genus and species.
Final Thoughts on Can Rabbit And Hare Breed
As discussed, although hares and rabbits may look similar at first glance they are two very different small mammals that complete unique life cycles separate from each other.
So if your domestic rabbit has gotten loose on your homestead or in your neighborhood, you don’t have to worry about hares that are in your area, they will surely leave your bunny alone and may even tolerate sharing some green meadow grass with them!
If you’re curious about fuzzy and active hare leverets, check out this great video!