Page 15 - World of Animals - Issue #31

T h e m ad M a r c h h a r e
The mad March hare

Factfile

Diet Predation
Hares are herbivores and feast almost exclusively on Red foxes, owls and wild cats are all natural predators of
weeds throughout the spring and summer months, but hares, and those introduced to new areas face threats
nibble on cultivated crops and winter vegetables in the from wolves, coyotes and tropical predators.
colder months.
Communication
Habitat Though usually very quiet, hares grunt occasionally and
During daylight, hares bed down in small depressions in mothers make gluttoral sounds to appease their leverets.
long grass known as ‘forms’. They are adaptable animals When danger is around they can grind their teeth to
that can survive in a wide variety of environments. warn surrounding hares.
Reproduction Behaviour

Hares can have up to four litters per year, and their Hares are able to run at 60 kilometres (35 miles) per
gestation period is only around 40 days. Sexual maturity hour and have powerful leg muscles built for endurance
is at seven or eight months for females and six months sprinting. They are excellent swimmers and if necessary
for males. Newborns weigh just 100 grams (3.5 ounces). they will leap into a stream to escape danger.

15

012-017_MarchHares.indd 15 02/03/2016 12:35