Hare

From Encyclopediak

Hare, a family of Rodents including both the hare and the rabbit. There are about 60 species scattered over all parts of the globe, except Madagascar and Australasia, but most numerous in Northern regions. All have long, erect ears, sharp incisor teeth, a divided upper lip and a short, furry, upturned tail. The long hind legs, which enable it to run with great speed, especially uphill, give the hare great advantage over a pursuing enemy. The home of the true hare is upon grassy plains or rocky, bramble-covered hillsides. Unlike the rabbit it never burrows, but, in coldest winter, may seek the shelter of a hollow tree or of a discarded woodchuck's hole. By day it crouches upon its trampled bed, or "form," where overhanging branches and tall grasses conceal it. At the approach of danger it rises quickly upon its haunches, erects its inquisitive ears, then crouches back or leaps away to safety. When speed alone will not save it from its enemy the hare takes to stratagem, doubles on its track, leaps over its pursuer occasionally, even striking it forcefully and unexpectedly with its active hind legs as it goes over, and sometimes swimming with fair speed across intervening streams. The young of the hare, called leverets, are born in the form, are fur-covered and active and have keen sight. The mother cares for them about four weeks before they are able to shift for themselves. Like the rabbit, the hare is extremely prolific. The flesh of the hare is dry, but of good quality. The so-called Belgian hare is really a pure breed of rabbit, while the jack rabbit of the Western plains is better called the prairie hare. See RABBIT.