Hares are common animals. They play an important role in the forest community and in human life. People are engaged in commercial hunting for hares, getting diet, tasty meat and valuable fur, skin. In the wild, there are several dozens of species (30) of these animals, but the most common are two: the hare and the grouse. How they look, where they are common, what are the similarities between the white hare and the brown hare, read the article.
Similarities
Hares of any kind primarily belong to mammalian animals and to one family - hares. These animals have other similarities:
- The ears are long.
- The collarbones are underdeveloped.
- The hind legs are much longer than the front legs, they are very strong. Thanks to this, hares can run at a speed of 70 km / h.
- The tail is short and fluffy.
- Females are larger than males.
- Animals molt twice a year: in the spring and autumn. The duration of this time depends on external conditions. In the spring, most species begin to discard the old fur coat from the end of winter, and starting from the head. In autumn, molting begins in September from the rear.
Hare
Belongs to the family of hares, differs in large sizes, thanks to which it can not be confused with other species. Body length reaches 68 cm, weight - 4-7 kg. The ears and tail can reach a length of 14 cm. In the summer, the rodent is gray in color with different shades. In winter, it depends on the environment: in the middle lane, the color does not change, except that it becomes brighter. But in the northern regions of residence, the hair of the grouse becomes white with a strip of dark color on the back.
The distribution of the brown
These hares live in the steppe, tundra zone, forest-steppe. They are characterized by European steppe massifs, as well as the North African continent. These animals are common in Asia. The habitat in the north is limited to the territories of Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Sweden.
In the south, the habitats of the brown hare are bordered by Turkey, Iran, Arabia, Africa, Transcaucasia and the north of Kazakhstan. In North America, this species of animals was introduced at the end of the XIX century. In our country, grouse is common in the European part, the south of Siberia, the Far East.
In honor of this animal, known since ancient times, interesting fairy tales for children and many fables are composed, in which the hare is called “gray”, “coward”, “brave”, “sly”.
Hare hare
This animal from the hare family is a large representative of its kind, but compared to the hare, the roe is much smaller. Its weight reaches two to three kilograms, sometimes more than four, the body is 45-70 cm, the ears and tail are up to 10 cm. The color is directly related to the time of year. In summer, the skin becomes gray with a reddish or dark shade, brown spots are visible on the fur. The head is darker than the body, but the stomach, on the contrary, is white. In winter, the white skin is pure white. Animals molt twice a year, like all representatives of this species.
Where does the hare live?
The distribution area of this species includes China, Mongolia, Japan, Northern Europe, South America. In our country, the hare lives on a vast territory: from Transbaikalia and the Don to the tundra itself. This animal settles in small forests, which are located near ponds and agricultural land. Prefers open areas with rich grass and berries.
The whites are lovers of a settled lifestyle. They migrate for short distances only if necessary, due to weather or lack of food. But in the tundra zone, their relocation over long distances is massive. Hares are forced to migrate due to lack of food, which is under a layer of high snow.
The hare and the white hare: similarities and differences
Despite the fact that the hare and the white hare belong to the same species, there are a number of differences between them:
- Rusak is the largest compared to the white hare.
- The Rusak is distinguished by longer ears and hind legs.
- The white feet have wider legs than the brown. Thick feet cover their feet, so that in winter the animal moves easily through snow, even loose.
- Rusak has a slightly wavy coat.
- The beloved habitat of the white hare is the forest, and the grouse is meadows, arable land, copses.
- In winter, the hair is white, only the tips of the ears are black. The color of the Rusak is never pure white; it only brightens slightly in winter.
- The whit has a shorter tail, round, and the brown has a long, wedge-shaped tail.
If we compare the hare of the white hare and the hare of the brown hare, then we can find similarities between them.
- These animals have long ears and hind legs.
- In the summer, they have the same color - gray.
- Immediately born with hair and sighted. Exceptions are rare cases when the body is missing coverage. They grow up very quickly. Even at a young age, hares can protect themselves.
- In times of danger, they flee from enemies, do not hide in holes like rabbits.
- Prefer to live apart. They form a pair only during the mating season.
- Nutrition is hard food - the bark of trees and shrubs, small twigs, buds, shoots.
- Do not store food for the future.
- They are highly fertile: up to eight times a year can produce offspring. The female carries a rabbit 1.5 months. Ready to mate immediately after childbirth.
