Rabbit vs Hare for Kids
Rabbits and hares are close relatives in the lagomorph family, but they are not the same animals. Hares are usually larger, longer-legged, and built for speed in open country. Rabbits are generally smaller, and some species escape danger by hiding in dense cover or underground burrows.
Rabbit
- Type: Mammal
- Group: Lagomorph
- Known for: Soft fur, hopping, burrows, and social colonies in some species
- Diet: Herbivore
- Special skill: Hiding in cover and digging or using burrows
Hare
- Type: Mammal
- Group: Lagomorph
- Known for: Long ears, powerful hind legs, fast running, and alert behavior
- Diet: Herbivore
- Special skill: Fast running and long-distance escape across open ground
Quick Answer
Quick answer: Hares are usually larger and faster, with longer ears and hind legs. Rabbits are generally smaller, and many use burrows or thick cover for safety. Baby rabbits are called kits and are usually born blind and nearly hairless, while baby hares are called leverets and are born furry with open eyes.
Rabbit vs Hare: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Rabbit | Hare |
|---|---|---|
| Animal type | Mammal | Mammal |
| Animal group | Lagomorph | Lagomorph |
| Known for | Hopping, hiding, and burrows in some species | Long ears, powerful legs, and fast running |
| Main habitat | Grasslands, forests, meadows, wetlands, deserts, and gardens | Open grasslands, meadows, tundra, deserts, and farmland |
| Where found | Worldwide except Antarctica | Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore |
| Baby name | Kit or kitten | Leveret |
| Body shape | Usually smaller with shorter legs and ears | Usually larger with longer hind legs and ears |
| Baby at birth | Usually blind, nearly hairless, and helpless | Furred, eyes open, and able to move soon |
| Special skill | Hiding in cover or using burrows | Escaping with powerful high-speed running |
How Are Rabbits and Hares Alike?
- Both rabbits and hares are mammals.
- Both belong to the order Lagomorpha and the family Leporidae.
- Both are herbivores that eat grasses, leaves, shoots, and other plant material.
- Both have long ears, short tails, and powerful hind legs.
- Both rely on keen hearing, wide vision, and quick movement to avoid predators.
How Are Rabbits and Hares Different?
- Hares are usually larger and have longer ears and hind legs than rabbits.
- Hares are generally faster runners and are better adapted to open ground.
- Many rabbits hide in burrows or dense cover, while hares usually rest above ground in shallow nests called forms.
- Baby rabbits are called kits and are usually born blind and nearly hairless, while leverets are born furry with open eyes.
- Some rabbit species live in social colonies, while hares are usually more solitary.
Rabbit vs Hare Showdown
Lagomorph showdown: The hare wins for size, speed, powerful hind legs, and our weirdest-fact pick because leverets arrive furry, alert, and ready to move. The rabbit takes the stealth edge through hiding and burrow use, while some rabbit species also win the social round by living in colonies. Swimming is a tie because both can swim when necessary, but neither is built as a water specialist.
Fun Rabbit vs Hare Facts
Hares Are Usually Bigger and Faster
Hares generally have larger bodies, longer hind legs, and bigger feet than rabbits. These powerful legs help them sprint across open ground and escape predators without needing to reach a burrow.
Ears and Legs Offer Easy Clues
A hare usually has longer ears and hind legs in proportion to its body. Many hare species also have dark or black ear tips, while rabbits often look shorter, rounder, and more compact.
Burrows vs Forms
Many rabbits, especially European rabbits, dig connected underground tunnels called warrens. Hares usually stay above ground and rest in shallow hollows hidden among grass or vegetation, called forms.
Their Babies Begin Life Differently
Newborn rabbit kits are usually blind, nearly hairless, and dependent on a protected nest. Hare leverets are born with fur and open eyes and can move around soon after birth.
Neither Animal Is a Rodent
Rabbits and hares belong to the order Lagomorpha, not the rodent order. One clue is that lagomorphs have a second small pair of upper incisors tucked behind the large front teeth.
Rabbit vs Hare Quiz
- Which animal is usually larger and faster? Answer: Hare.
- What is a baby rabbit called? Answer: A kit or kitten.
- What is a baby hare called? Answer: A leveret.
- Which animal usually rests above ground in a form? Answer: Hare.
- Are rabbits and hares rodents? Answer: No, they are lagomorphs.
Rabbit vs Hare FAQ
What is the easiest way to tell a rabbit from a hare?
Hares are usually larger, with longer ears, longer hind legs, and a leaner body. Rabbits generally look smaller and more compact.
Which is faster, a rabbit or a hare?
Hares are usually faster because their long, powerful hind legs are adapted for escaping across open ground.
Do rabbits and hares live in burrows?
Many rabbits use burrows, although this varies by species. Hares usually rest above ground in shallow hollows called forms.
What are baby rabbits and hares called?
Baby rabbits are called kits or kittens. Baby hares are called leverets.
Are rabbits and hares the same species?
No. They are close relatives in the same animal family, but rabbits and hares belong to different groups and have different bodies, behaviors, and newborn development.
Animal Words to Know
- Lagomorph: A member of the mammal order that includes rabbits, hares, and pikas.
- Kit: A baby rabbit, also called a kitten.
- Leveret: A baby hare.
- Warren: A network of rabbit burrows or the colony living there.
- Form: A shallow above-ground hollow where a hare rests or shelters.
Rabbit and Hare Drawing Activity
Rabbit and Hare Drawing Activity
Draw a compact rabbit on one side with shorter ears beside a burrow entrance. Draw a taller hare on the other side with long black-tipped ears and powerful hind legs in an open meadow. Add labels for body size, ears, legs, home, and baby name.
Meet Each Animal
Want the full fact file? Here are quick highlights from each animal’s own facts page.
Rabbit Fact Highlight
From the full animal facts pageHare Fact Highlight
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