Damon Mcknight
Hares, which are similar to rabbits but larger with black-tipped ears, were introduced to Australia by Thomas Austin in 1859. They have spread throughout most grassland areas in the country, including Western Australia. The European brown hare, in particular, is a species native to Europe and parts of Asia, and it is among the largest hare species. They are adapted to temperate, open country and feed mainly on grasses and herbs. In Western Australia, the rufous hare-wallaby, also known as the mala, is a small macropod that was once widely distributed across the western half of the continent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hare species in Western Australia | European brown hare, Rufous hare-wallaby |
| European brown hare scientific name | Lepus europaeus occidentalis |
| European brown hare native region | Europe, parts of Asia |
| European brown hare size | Larger than rabbits |
| European brown hare diet | Herbivorous, grasses, herbs, twigs, buds, bark, field crops |
| European brown hare predators | Large birds of prey, canids, felids |
| European brown hare breeding | Up to 5 litters of 2-4 young per year |
| Rufous hare-wallaby scientific name | Lagorchestes hirsutus |
| Rufous hare-wallaby native region | Western half of Australia |
| Rufous hare-wallaby size | Smallest hare-wallaby, weighing 800-1600 grams |
| Rufous hare-wallaby diet | Herbivorous, herbs, leaves, seeds |
| Rufous hare-wallaby predators | Feral cats, foxes |
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What You'll Learn
European brown hares were introduced to Australia
The European brown hare (Lepus europaeus occidentalis), also known as the brown hare, is a species of hare native to Europe and parts of Asia. It is among the largest hare species, distinguished by its longer legs and wider nostrils. The European brown hare was first described in 1778 by German zoologist Peter Simon Pallas.
The European brown hare has since spread throughout most grassland areas in Australia. They prefer open farmland with longer grass, such as dairy country, and can live in wet conditions. They can travel up to four kilometres daily to feed on grasses, herbs, twigs, buds, bark, and crops. Their long legs enable them to accelerate to 50 km/h for short bursts, and they rely on endurance running to escape predators.
European brown hares have been reported to host various parasites and diseases in Australia, including nematodes, coccidia, liver flukes, and canine tapeworms. They are also susceptible to European brown hare syndrome (EBHS), a fatal disease caused by a calicivirus similar to that which causes rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD).
Despite their status as an invasive species, some have expressed hope that Australians will come to perceive European brown hares as a valuable resource rather than merely a feral pest. The hares are considered a true game animal and are hunted in Australia.
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Hares are larger than rabbits and have black-tipped ears
Hares (Lepus europaeus occidentalis) are an introduced species in Australia. They have spread throughout most grassland areas. Hares are larger than rabbits and have black-tipped ears. They are also faster than rabbits, reaching speeds of up to 45 mph, compared to 35 mph for rabbits. Hares are generally shy and solitary, living their whole lives above ground and sleeping in shallow dips called forms. They are also more selective in their habitats, preferring open farmland with longer grass, such as dairy country, or similar cover. They can also live in quite wet conditions.
Hares are part of the Lagomorphs group, which also includes rabbits and pikas. They are distinguished from other leporids (hares and rabbits) by their longer legs and wider nostrils. The hare is among the largest of the hare species, native to Europe and parts of Asia. It is adapted to temperate, open country.
The hare is a swift animal and can run up to 50 mph over short distances. The European hare (Lepus europaeus), in particular, can run up to 35 mph over longer distances. Hares are herbivores and feed mainly on grasses and herbs, supplementing their diet with twigs, buds, bark, and field crops, especially in winter. They rely on high-speed endurance running to escape predators, including large birds of prey, canids, and felids.
Hares and rabbits are often confused because they look similar, but they are different species with distinct social structures. Rabbits are much more sociable and live in large groups, keeping watch for each other. They live in underground warrens and prefer dense brush but can adapt to hedges and overgrown fencerows in neighborhoods. In contrast, hares are solitary and prefer arable farmland, grassland, and woodland edges because they need to find cover quickly.
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Hares are a game animal and are hunted
In Australia, the European hare was introduced in the 19th century and has become an invasive species, causing damage to crops and competing with local species for resources. They are a common source of meat and fur, and their numbers are plentiful, which makes them a popular target for hunters. Hare meat is lean and high in protein, but it is not considered a great survival food due to its low fat content. However, the leanness of the meat makes it a healthy choice for those looking for a high-protein, low-fat option.
Hares are known for their speed and agility, with some species reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) over short distances. This makes them a challenging and exciting game animal for hunters. They are also nocturnal and shy, spending their nights awake and sleeping during the day. During the spring, they become more active and can be seen chasing each other in fields, engaging in a behaviour known as "boxing", where they strike each other with their paws.
Hares have been featured in the mythology and folklore of various cultures, often symbolizing swiftness and timidity. They have also been associated with witchcraft and magic, with some believing that hares were witches' familiars or that a witch had transformed into a hare. The hare is also a common motif in literature and art, such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
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Hares can produce up to five litters per year
Hares (Lepus europaeus occidentalis) are an introduced species in Australia, and they can be found in most grassland areas. They were first introduced to Australia by Thomas Austin, who released at least 13 wild rabbits, five hares, 72 partridges, and some sparrows on his property in Victoria in October 1859.
Hares are physically remarkable creatures with a finely developed sense of hearing, smell, and vision. They have huge ears that provide a wide angle of view, allowing them to detect predators from almost any direction. They are also capable of running at impressive speeds of up to 50 mph in short bursts and can leap 10 feet in the air.
Hares are known for their prolific reproductive rate. Female hares, also known as does, can typically produce one to eight young in a single litter, with the number rarely reaching up to 15. They can give birth to up to three or even five litters per year, depending on the abundance of food. The gestation period lasts around 40 to 42 days, and the young hares, called leverets, are born with their eyes open and fully furred. They are ready to leave the nest soon after birth and are functionally independent, but they do not reach sexual maturity until about one to two years of age.
The breeding season for hares usually takes place between February and September. During this time, does give birth in hollow depressions in the ground, and their young are well-camouflaged in long grass. Hares have a unique mating behaviour where females will run across the countryside, testing the stamina of potential male suitors. Only the fittest male will be able to keep up and mate with the female.
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Rufous hare-wallabies are native to Western Australia
The rufous hare-wallaby, also known as the mala, is a small macropod native to Western Australia. It is the smallest of the Lagorchestes genus, with a combined length of 310 to 390 millimetres for the head and body, and a tail length of 245 to 300 millimetres. Their weight ranges from 800 to 1,600 grams, and their body form is comparatively light and delicate. The species is currently classified as vulnerable.
Rufous hare-wallabies were once widely distributed throughout the arid and semi-arid parts of Western Australia and the southern Northern Territory until the 1930s. Predation by feral cats and foxes, and destructive wildfires, caused the last wild population on mainland Australia to go extinct in the early 1990s. Despite their extinction in the wild, the mainland subspecies persisted in captivity, and small captive populations still exist on the mainland.
Today, rufous hare-wallabies are only found on the islands of Dorre and Bernier in Shark Bay off the coast of Western Australia. They occur throughout each island but are more abundant at the southern ends. The species has four recognised subspecies, three of which are named after the islands on which they are found: L. h. bernieri, L. h. dorreae, and L. h. hirsutus. The fourth subspecies is currently unnamed. The Bernier Island subspecies has noticeably paler fur and shorter ears, while the Dorre Island subspecies has far redder fur than the mainland species and a narrower skull.
Rufous hare-wallabies are solitary, nocturnal herbivores that feed on herbs, leaves, and seeds. They prefer spinifex sandplain habitats, where they build burrows under large spinifex hummocks. The various stages of fire succession in these habitats provide adequate shelter and food supply for the species.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are hares in Western Australia. The European brown hare (Lepus europaeus occidentalis) was introduced to Australia and can now be found throughout most grassland areas.
Hares are similar in appearance to rabbits but are larger, with longer legs, wider nostrils, and black-tipped ears.
Hares are herbivores and primarily feed on grasses, herbs, twigs, buds, bark, and field crops.
Hares prefer open farmland with longer grass, such as dairy country, and can adapt to wet conditions. They do not burrow but rest during the day in patches of long grass, among rocks, logs, or scraped hollows in the ground.
While hares are not native to Australia, they are not commonly considered pests. They can, however, cause damage to seedlings, orchards, horticultural crops, and soil conservation areas.
