Brown or European Hare
Lepus europaeus
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Photo credits: ©Silviu Petrovan; ©Autumnalis
Lepus europaeus – Brown or European hare
Description:
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
Potential or Known Impacts:
How did it get here?
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Methods for Prevention:
Lepus europaeus – Brown or European hare
Description:
- L. europaeus is a medium sized mammal, about the size of a domestic cat. It is distinctive as it has long ears, and large hind legs and feet.
- This species can range in size and colour depending on location; in England, it can be 400mm-700mm long, and weigh 2-7kg, with females being larger than males.
- In summer, they have tawny or brown fur with black ear; in winter, the fur turns thicker and greyer.
- Young (called leverets) are born fully furred, and their eyes are open; they resemble adult hares in colour.
- It has a broad range of habitats, including farmland, woodland, grasslands, and coastal dunes.
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
- It is native to Europe and parts of Asia.
- It is invasive in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Barbados, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and Chile.
Potential or Known Impacts:
- It hybridises with the Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus). Hybrids are produced, therefore reducing genetically pure L. timidus hares. It has a high reproductive potential, both in its species and with the Irish hare.
- It is a habitat and dietary generalist, which may make it an agricultural and forestry pest. It may alter groundcover flora.
How did it get here?
- This species was deliberately introduced for hunting.
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- It is found in Northern Ireland.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Methods for Prevention:
- Do not introduce.
- Report all sightings.
NIEA-ID-Guide-Lepus-europaeus-Brown-Hare