At first glance, a rabbit and a hare might look like twins in a petting zoo lineup. But the hare vs. rabbit comparison runs deeper than floppy ears and twitchy noses. These two species, while from the same family Leporidae , lead very different lives.

Both are prey animals, often targeted by foxes, birds of prey, and other animals. That’s why their long legs and sharp senses matter so much in the wild.

Yet when you start looking at their behavior, biology, and lifestyle, hares and rabbits part ways fast.

Born to Be Wild, or at Least Very Different

Rabbits and hares don’t raise their young the same way. Young rabbits, called kits or kittens, are born blind, hairless, and helpless. They spend their first days hidden in cozy burrows lined with fur. Rabbits live underground in social g

See Full Page