Page 14 - World of Animals - Issue #31

The mad March hare

Insanity in spring

The tranquil hare only seems to get
noticed when it gets a spring in its step
The European hare has been introduced to South America, Canada,
Australia and New Zealand and is thriving thousands of miles from

its native home. It’s a large lagomorph, which is the scientific name
of the taxonomic order the rabbit family belongs to, and it is most
at home in open grassland surrounded by hedgerows. Through
most of the year, hares graze peacefully on herbs, grasses and
crops, but the awakening of spring brings about some seemingly
bizarre behaviour. Despite appearances, they haven’t lost their
minds – it’s all straightforward reproductive behaviour that makes
perfect sense in the mind of the hare.
Abandoning the instinct to stay solitary, hares are drawn together
in the period between February and June. This is the critical window
in which mating occurs to ensure baby hares, known as leverets, are
born long before the arrival of the winter chill. The females, however,
don’t fawn over future fathers, and the hopeful males have to
show their worth before a lady will take notice. When we see hares

‘boxing’ in fields, it isn’t a testosterone-filled display of manhood

or males competing for access to females. This alarming sight is
actually the female trying to repel an over-eager suitor who thinks
he has it all. Outside of the mating season the male’s genitals shrink
and they produce minimal amounts of reproductive hormones, so
the sudden surge seriously strengthens the urge to mate.
During this period, also known as ‘March madness’, hares can be
seen suddenly launching into high-speed races. This happens when
a male finally gets the attention of a female, and she begins to test ABOVE

him. Without warning she suddenly bolts and he must try his best Hares have longer ears
to keep up. Only if he proves he is the fastest and strongest hare than rabbits and are
around will she allow him to mate. That means her litter will inherit able to swivel them in

different directions at
speed and agility to give them the best chance of survival. the same time

“Hares can be seen launching
into high-speed races, as a male

gets the attention of a female

and she begins to test him”

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