Mammals Most active at dawn and dusk

Brown Hare

Lepus europaeus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Meet the sprinter of the grasslands. With their iconic black-tipped ears and lightning-fast reflexes, Brown Hares are a masterclass in mammalian speed and camouflage.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 50–70 cm (20–28 in); Weight: 2.5–7 kg (5.5–15 lb)

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Colors

Golden-brown or tawny fur with a white underside; ears are pale grey with distinct black tips; tail is black on top and white underneath.

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Key Features

Very long ears with prominent black tips
Large, powerful hind legs built for sprinting
Deep amber or golden eyes
Loping, high-speed gait
Larger and more 'leggy' than a common rabbit

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

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Peak hours 5-8 AM, 6-10 PM

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Season March-August (Breeding season offers most visibility)

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Diet Herbivorous; grazes on grasses, herbs, and cereal crops. In winter, they switch to woody material including twigs, buds, and tree bark.

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Habitat Open country, arable farmland, grasslands, and woodland edges with plenty of cover.

Behavior

Brown Hares are solitary animals that do not live in burrows like rabbits. Instead, they spend their days resting in a 'form,' which is a shallow depression in the ground or among long grass. They rely on their incredible camouflage to stay hidden, only bolting at the last possible second when a predator approaches. When they do run, they are capable of reaching speeds up to 45 mph (70 km/h) in a zigzag pattern to outmaneuver threats.

During the spring, their behavior becomes famously erratic, leading to the phrase 'Mad as a March Hare.' This involves 'boxing' matches where hares stand on their hind legs and strike each other with their paws. Interestingly, this isn't usually two males fighting, but rather a female (doe) fending off the unwanted advances of a persistent male (buck). While they are generally shy and avoid human contact, they have adapted well to agricultural landscapes and can occasionally be spotted in large suburban gardens bordering open fields.

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Camera Tips

To capture a Brown Hare on camera, placement is everything. These animals are creatures of habit and will often use the same 'runs' or paths through long grass or under hedgerows. Look for 'smouts'—small gaps at the base of fences or gates—and position your camera about 12 to 18 inches off the ground. Angling the camera slightly downward will help ensure you catch their full profile rather than just their long ears as they pass by.

Timing is crucial for hare photography. Because they are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and nocturnal, you need a camera with excellent low-light performance and a fast trigger speed. Hares move quickly, and a slow trigger will result in a series of 'empty' photos or just a blurred tail. Using a 'no-glow' or 'black' infrared flash is highly recommended; while hares aren't as easily spooked as some predators, a bright red glow can make them avoid that specific path in the future.

In a backyard setting, you can encourage visits by maintaining a patch of clover or leaving a section of your lawn to grow long. Unlike rabbits, hares aren't easily tempted by bait piles, but they are attracted to the salt in some lick blocks or the fresh growth of vegetable patches. If you are setting up a trail cam in a field, try to find a 'form' (their resting spot). Setting the camera to take a short video (10-15 seconds) is often more rewarding than photos, as it allows you to see their characteristic grooming behavior and ear-twitching.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Brown Hare.

European Rabbit

Smaller with shorter ears (no black tips) and a more rounded body shape; lives in underground burrows.

Mountain Hare

Smaller ears and turns white or mottled grey in winter; typically found at higher elevations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Brown Hares are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. However, during the spring breeding season, they can frequently be seen out in the open during the day.

Hares are attracted to open spaces with high-quality grazing. Planting clover, allowing sections of grass to grow long for cover, and ensuring there are gaps under fences for them to enter can encourage them to visit your property.

They are strictly herbivorous. Their primary diet consists of grasses, herbs, and agricultural crops like clover and wheat. In the winter months, they supplement this with bark, twigs, and buds from young trees.

While they prefer open farmland, Brown Hares are increasingly found in suburban areas that border the countryside, particularly in large gardens, cemeteries, and golf courses that offer both grazing and cover.

Hares are significantly larger than rabbits and have much longer hind legs and ears. The easiest giveaway is the ears: a Brown Hare's ears are longer than its head and always have distinct black tips, which rabbits lack.

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