What are the Differences Between Rabbits & Hares?
Although rabbits and hares come from the same family, they are not the same animal. Either pest may cause issues in yards and gardens, so it's important to know a few key identifying facts.
The main differences between rabbits and hares include their appearance, offspring, and habitat.
Appearance
What's the difference between a rabbit and a hare?
There are several physical features that may help to tell the two apart. For example:
- Rabbit fur stays the same color year-round, while a hare's coat can change seasonally.
- Hares are generally larger than rabbits, and some have black-tipped ears.
- A hare has long, strong hind legs for running quickly, whereas a rabbit has shorter limbs more adept at digging.
Offspring
Rabbit vs. hare babies are also slightly different. Young hares, called leverets, are born with fur and open eyes at birth. They can move independently after only a short time. Hares breed from late January to August.
On the other hand, newborn rabbits have no hair and closed eyes. The young, known as kits, can't regulate their own body temperature and are dependent on adults. Rabbits breed from December through June.
Habitat
Preferred environment is another way to identify rabbits vs. hares.
Hares in the Country
Hares live in wide open areas where they use their speed to evade predators. As a result, while suburban residents may spot either rabbits or hares, many hares favor rural areas.
These animals feed on shoots, buds, and bark and make small depressions in yards. They have large home ranges, so a hare may be an occasional invader rather than a constant problem.
Rabbits in the City
Rabbits prefer dense brush, but they easily adapt to hedges and overgrown fencerows in neighborhoods. The pests stay close to their burrows when they forage for food.
Rabbits that burrow in lawns often take produce from gardens and clip plant stems right down to the ground.
Rabbit vs. Hare Control
Rabbits or hares in the wild may carry parasites and transmit diseases such as tularemia. To safely deal with infestations, contact Critter Control. Trained professionals know the difference between a rabbit and a hare and can create solutions to remove either pest from yards.
Get them out.
Keep them out.®
Experience wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.
Best Bat Removal
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in
Tulsa!
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.
Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.
Because
bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious
bat droppings.
Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.
She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!
Service:
Bat Removal
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.
He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!
Quicklinks