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Leporidae - rabbits, hares

HareThere are about 62 species in this family. They are native species in all parts of the world, except for Australia and Antarctica. While there are no native species in Australia, some species have been introduced. Rabbits and hares are found in a variety of habitats including deserts, forests, the tundra, swamps, and grasslands.

Rabbits and hares have soft fur, long ears, short tails, and powerful rear legs that they use to hop and jump. Hares are usually larger than rabbits. They have longer ears that are black-tipped ears and are born with fur and with their eyes open. Rabbits are born blind and hairless! Females in this order are larger than males. Rabbits and hares are herbivores.

World Status Key
Least ConcernLeast Concern Near ThreatenedNear Threatened VulnerableVulnerable EndangeredEndangered Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered extinct in the wildExtinct in Wild extinctExtinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in US Threatened in New Hampshire Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in US Endangered in NH Endangered in NH Introduced Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

  New Hampshire Species

 

 North/Central American Species

Eastern Cottontail - Sylvilagus floridanus Least Concern
New England Cottontail - Sylvilagus transitionalis Vulnerable Endangered in NH
Snowshoe Hare - Lepus americanus Least Concern
  Swamp Rabbit - Sylvilagus aquaticus Least Concern
Desert Cottontail - Sylvilagus audubonii Least Concern
Brush Rabbit - Sylvilagus bachmani Least Concern
Tapeti - Sylvilagus brasiliensis Least Concern
Manzano Mountain Cottontail - Sylvilagus cognatus
Mexican Cottontail - Sylvilagus cunicularius Least Concern
Dice's Cottontail - Sylvilagus dicei
Tres Marias Cottontail - Sylvilagus graysoni Endangered
Omilteme Cottontail - Sylvilagus insonus Least Concern
San Jose Brush Rabbit - Sylvilagus mansuetus Near Threatened
Mountain Cottontail - Sylvilagus nuttallii Least Concern
Appalachian Cottontail - Sylvilagus obscurus Near Threatened
Marsh Rabbit - Sylvilagus palustris Least Concern
Robust Cottontail - Sylvilagus robustus Endangered

North/Central American Species

 
Pygmy Rabbit - Brachylagus idahoensis Least Concern
Antelope Jackrabbit - Lepus alleni Least Concern
Arctic Hare - Lepus arcticus Least Concern
Black-tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus californicus Least Concern
White-sided Jackrabbit - Lepus callotis Near Threatened
tehuantepec Jackrabbit - Lepus flavigularis Endangered
Black Jackrabbit - Lepus insularis Near Threatened
Alaskan Hare - Lepus othus Least Concern
White-tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus townsendii Least Concern
Volcano Rabbit - Romerolagus diazi Endangered
 

Other Species Around the World

Africa Africa Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North/Central America South America South America New Hampshire Species NH Species

Pygmy Rabbit - Brachylagus idahoensis Least Concern North America
Riverine Rabbit - Bunolagus monticularis Critically Endangered Africa
Hispid Hare - Caprolagus hispidus Endangered Asia
Antelope Jackrabbit - Lepus alleni Least Concern North America
Snowshoe Hare - Lepus americanus Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
Arctic Hare - Lepus arcticus Least Concern Europe North America
Japanese Hare - Lepus brachyurus Least Concern Asia
Black-tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus californicus Least Concern North America
White-sided Jackrabbit - Lepus callotis Near Threatened North America
Cape Hare - Lepus capensis Least Concern Africa Asia Europe
Broom Hare - Lepus castroviejoi Vulnerable Europe
Yunnan Hare - Lepus comus Least Concern Asia
Korean Hare - Lepus coreanus Least Concern Asia
Corsican Hare - Lepus corsicanus Vulnerable Europe
European Hare - Lepus europaeus Least Concern Asia Europe
Ethiopian Hare - Lepus fagani Africa
tehuantepec Jackrabbit - Lepus flavigularis Endangered North America
Granada Hare - Lepus granatensis Least Concern Europe
Abyssinian Hare - Lepus habessinicus Least Concern Africa
Hainan Hare - Lepus hainanus Vulnerable Asia
Black Jackrabbit - Lepus insularis Near Threatened North America
Manchurian Hare - Lepus mandshuricus Least Concern Asia
African Savanna Hare - Lepus microtis Least Concern Africa
Indian Hare - Lepus nigricollis Least Concern Asia
Woolly Hare - Lepus oiostolus Least Concern Asia
Alaskan Hare - Lepus othus Least Concern North America
Burmese Hare - Lepus peguensis Least Concern Asia
Scrub Hare - Lepus saxatilis Least Concern Africa
Chinese Hare - Lepus sinensis Least Concern Asia
Ethiopian Highland Hare - Lepus starcki Least Concern Africa
Desert Hare - Lepus tibetanus Least Concern Asia

  Mountain Hare - Lepus timidus Least Concern Asia Europe
Tolai Hare - Lepus tolai Least Concern Asia
White-tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus townsendii Least Concern North America
Yarkand Hare - Lepus yarkandensis Near Threatened Asia
Sumatran Striped Rabbit - Nesolagus netscheri Vulnerable Asia
Annamite Striped Rabbit - Nesolagus timminsi Asia
European Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus Near Threatened Africa Europe
Amami Rabbit - Pentalagus furnessi Endangered Asia
Bunyoro Rabbit - Poelagus marjorita Least Concern Africa
Natal Red Rock Hare - Pronolagus crassicaudatus Least Concern Africa
Jameson's Red Rock Hare - Pronolagus randensis Least Concern Africa
Smith's Red Rock Hare - Pronolagus rupestris Least Concern Africa
Hewitt's Red Rock Hare - Pronolagus saundersiae Least Concern Africa
Volcano Rabbit - Romerolagus diazi Endangered North America
Swamp Rabbit - Sylvilagus aquaticus Least Concern North America
Desert Cottontail - Sylvilagus audubonii Least Concern North America
Brush Rabbit - Sylvilagus bachmani Least Concern North America
Tapeti - Sylvilagus brasiliensis Least Concern North America South America
Manzano Mountain Cottontail - Sylvilagus cognatus North America
Mexican Cottontail - Sylvilagus cunicularius Least Concern North America
Dice's Cottontail - Sylvilagus dicei North America
Eastern Cottontail - Sylvilagus floridanus Least Concern North America South America New Hampshire Species
Tres Marias Cottontail - Sylvilagus graysoni Endangered North America
Omilteme Cottontail - Sylvilagus insonus Least Concern North America
San Jose Brush Rabbit - Sylvilagus mansuetus Near Threatened North America
Mountain Cottontail - Sylvilagus nuttallii Least Concern North America
Appalachian Cottontail - Sylvilagus obscurus Near Threatened North America
Marsh Rabbit - Sylvilagus palustris Least Concern North America
Robust Cottontail - Sylvilagus robustus Endangered North America
New England Cottontail - Sylvilagus transitionalis Vulnerable North America New Hampshire Species
Venezuelan Lowland Rabbit - Sylvilagus varynaensis South America

Additional Information

Key: profile Profile Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio

Alaskan Hare - Lepus othus profile Least Concern North America
Alaskan hares are the largest hare species in North America.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Amami Rabbit - Pentalagus furnessi profile Photos Endangered Asia
The Amami rabbit is found only on the Japanese islands of Amami-Oshima and Tokuno-Shima. they have small ears, a very small tail, and very long claws.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Amami Rabbit - Pentalagus furnessi profile Endangered Asia
The Amami rabbit is found in dense old-growth forests.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Annamite Striped Rabbit - Nesolagus timminsi Photos Asia
The Annamite striped rabbit is found in Laos and Vietnam.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Antelope Jackrabbit - Lepus alleni profile Least Concern North America
The antelope jackrabbit, is along the western coast of Mexico and in southern Arizona.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Appalachian Cottontail - Sylvilagus obscurus profile Near Threatened North America
Appalachian cottontails are found in forests and brushy areas at high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains, from the Hudson River in New York to northern Alabama.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Arctic Hare - Lepus arcticus profile Photos Least Concern Europe North America
The Arctic hare is found in Canada and Greenland.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Arctic Hare - Lepus arcticus profile Photos Least Concern Europe North America
The Arctic hare has large, heavily padded feet.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black Jackrabbit - Lepus insularis profile Near Threatened North America
The blank jackrabbit is found on Espiritu Santo Island in the Gulf of California, Mexico.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus californicus Least Concern North America
The black-tailed jackrabbit is found is found throughout the southwestern United States into Mexico, as far east as Missouri, north into Washington, Idaho, Colorado and Nebraska, and west to California and Baja California.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Broom Hare - Lepus castroviejoi Photos Vulnerable Europe
The broom hare is found in northern Spain in the Cantabrian Mountains.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Broom Hare - Lepus castroviejoi profile Vulnerable Europe
The broom hare is active at night and is rarely seen during the day.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Brush Rabbit - Sylvilagus bachmani profile Least Concern North America
The brush rabbit is found from Oregon south to Baja, California in Mexico .
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Bunyoro Rabbit - Poelagus marjorita profile Least Concern Africa
The Bunyoro rabbit is found in Congo, Sudan, and Uganda.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cape Hare - Lepus capensis profile Photos Video Least Concern Africa Asia Europe
The Cape hare is found in Algeria, Bahrain, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cyprus, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Territory, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cape Hare - Lepus capensis profile Least Concern Africa Asia Europe
The Cape hare is found in non-forested areas.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Desert Cottontail - Sylvilagus audubonii profile Photos Least Concern North America
The desert cottontail is found throughout much of southwestern North America, from northern Montana down to central Mexico, and as far west as the Pacific coast.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eastern Cottontail - Sylvilagus floridanus profile Photos Least Concern North America South America New Hampshire Species
The eastern cottontail has a large range that stretches from southern Manitoba and Quebec to Central and northwestern South America.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Hare - Lepus europaeus profile Photos Video Least Concern Asia Europe
The European hare is found across Europe and the Middle East and has been introduced to North America, South America, and Australia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Hare - Lepus europaeus profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe
The European hare is found in open fields and pastures.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus profile Photos Video Near Threatened Africa Europe
The European rabbit is found in western Europe and northern Africa, and it has been introduced to Australia and South America.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus profile Photos Near Threatened Africa Europe
The European rabbit prefers habitats in dry areas near sea level with soft, sandy soil that is easy to burrow into.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hispid Hare - Caprolagus hispidus Photos Endangered Asia
The Hispid hare is found in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hispid Hare - Caprolagus hispidus profile Endangered Asia
The Hispid hare has two layers of fur: a coarse, bristly, outer layer, and an under layer which is shorter and finer.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Indian Hare - Lepus nigricollis Photos Least Concern Asia
The Indian hare is found in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Indian Hare - Lepus nigricollis profile Photos Least Concern Asia
The Indian hare has a patch of black fur that runs along the nape of its neck
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Marsh Rabbit - Sylvilagus palustris profile Photos Least Concern North America
The marsh rabbit is found in the southeastern United States.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Mountain Cottontail - Sylvilagus nuttallii profile Photos Least Concern North America
The mountain cottontail is found in the western part of the United States.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Mountain Hare - Lepus timidus profile Photos Video Least Concern Asia Europe
The mountain hare is found in Austria, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Mountain Hare - Lepus timidus profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe
Mountain hares are nocturnal.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

New England Cottontail - Sylvilagus transitionalis Photos Vulnerable North America New Hampshire Species
The New England cottontail is found in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Pygmy Rabbit - Brachylagus idahoensis profile Least Concern North America
Pygmy rabbits are found in California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Riverine Rabbit - Bunolagus monticularis profile Photos Critically Endangered Africa
The riverine rabbit is found in South Africa.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Riverine Rabbit - Bunolagus monticularis profile Critically Endangered Africa
The riverine rabbit has black stripe running from the corner of its mouth over its cheek, a brown woolly tail, and cream-colored fur on its belly and throat.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Scrub Hare - Lepus saxatilis Least Concern Africa
The scrub hare is found in the savanna woodland and scrub areas of Africa.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Smith's Red Rock Hare - Pronolagus rupestris profile Least Concern Africa
The red rock hare is found in the eastern Rift Valley in Kenya, Zambia, eastern Rhodesia, South Africa and South-west Africa in rocky habitats.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Snowshoe Hare - Lepus americanus Photos Video Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The snowshoe hare is found across Canada and in Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Snowshoe Hare - Lepus americanus profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
During the winter, the snowshoe hare is almost entirely white, except for black eyelids and blackened tips on its ears.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sumatran Striped Rabbit - Nesolagus netscheri profile Photos Vulnerable Asia
The Sumatran striped rabbit is found in Indonesia on the island of Sumatra.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sumatran Striped Rabbit - Nesolagus netscheri profile Vulnerable Asia
The Sumatran striped rabbit lives in forests.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Swamp Rabbit - Sylvilagus aquaticus profile Least Concern North America
The swamp rabbit is found in most of the south-central United States and the Gulf coast.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Tapeti - Sylvilagus brasiliensis profile Least Concern North America South America
The tapeti is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

tehuantepec Jackrabbit - Lepus flavigularis profile Photos Endangered North America
The tehuantepec jackrabbit is found in Mexico.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Tres Marias Cottontail - Sylvilagus graysoni profile Endangered North America
The Tres Marias cottontail is only found on the Tres Marias Islands off of the coast of Mexico.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Volcano Rabbit - Romerolagus diazi profile Photos Video Endangered North America
The volcano rabbit is found in Mexico.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Volcano Rabbit - Romerolagus diazi profile Photos Endangered North America
The volcano rabbit is the only member of Leporidae family that is known to vocalize.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-sided Jackrabbit - Lepus callotis profile Photos Near Threatened North America
The white-sided jackrabbit is found in Arizona and Mexico.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-sided Jackrabbit - Lepus callotis profile Near Threatened North America
The white-sided jackrabbit is most active at night or at dusk.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus townsendii Photos Least Concern North America
The white-tailed jackrabbit is found in California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Canada.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus townsendii profile Least Concern North America
White-tailed jackrabbits prefer open grasslands.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Woolly Hare - Lepus oiostolus [in[ Photos Least Concern Asia
The woolly hare is found at high altitudes in the Tibetan plateau in western/southwestern China, India, and northern Nepal.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School