Lagomorpha (Rabbits, Hares, etc.)

Rabbits have long ears, short forelegs and longer back legs. Most are grey-brown but there are variations towards beige/brown. Melanistic examples are seen frequently but albinos are rare. An important recognition feature is the white ‘powder puff’ underside of the tail, clearly seen as the rabbit runs away.

The rabbit is smaller than the brown hare with features that are less accentuated. The face is more rounded and less angular, with shorter ears without black tips.  

The brown hare is larger than the rabbit, with longer ears that have black tips. It has an overall colouration of russet-brown, a pale belly and a black stripe on the upper part of the tail. The sexes are alike although adult females tend to be larger than males.

Unlike a rabbit, a startled brown hare holds its tail down as it gallops away, showing a visible dorsal stripe. A startled rabbit holds its tail up as it runs, showing the white underside. The brown hare has longer legs that enable it to lope high off the ground with a leaping stride. The rabbit may jump from the ground in similar fashion to a hare but immediately drops into a ground-hugging run. Confusion between the grey coat of a rabbit and the russet-brown coat of a hare is unlikely and the iris of a rabbit is brown compared with yellow in the hare.