Description
The European hare is one of the largest living lagomorphs. Its head and body length can range from 48 to 75 cm (19 to 30 in) with a tail length of 7–13 cm (2.8–5.1 in). The body mass can range from 2.5 to 7 kg (5.5 to 15 lb). There is no noticeable sexual dimorphism in the species. As with all leporids, the hare has elongated ears which in this species ranges from 94–102 mm from the notch. The ears of the European hare are greyish white inside and have black tips on the top ends. It also has long hind feet that have a length from 142 to 161 mm. Most of the hare’s body is covered in yellowish-brown to greyish-brown fur but has greyish-white fur on the underside. In addition its face is brown with black rings around the eyes. Unlike some other leporids, the European hare’s fur does not turn white in the winter, but it does get slightly more grey. The hare’s skull has a length from 96 to 104 mm and a width from 44 to 51 mm. The skull has nasal bones that are short, broad and heavy as well as prominent anterior and posterior lobes of the supraorbital processes. In addition, the skull has a prominent subcutaneous process of the lacrimal bone, projecting from the anterior wall of the orbit.
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