Hare or Rabbit?

May 6, 20240 comments

Afternoon safaris don’t always conclude when the sun sets. The darkness often brings unexpected encounters around every corner. On a recent drive back to Kapama Buffalo Camp, the luxury tented Camp on Kapama Private Game Reserve, we spotted something peculiar on the road. Upon closer inspection, we discovered a scrub hare accompanied by her leverets (yes, that’s the term for baby hares).

It was a heartwarming sight, and these little ones didn’t seem in any hurry to move. After observing them for a while, we decided to leave them undisturbed. The warm road, still radiating heat from the day, provided a cosy spot for the hare and her leverets to soak up the last bit of warmth before the chilly night set in. Spotting these long-limbed creatures at night is quite common, but the presence of the leverets made this encounter particularly special

Scrub Hare

A frequent question during such sightings is: “Is it a hare or a rabbit?” Although both belong to the Leporidae family, there are notable differences between them. Hares, including scrub hares, are generally larger, with longer hind legs and ears compared to rabbits. The scrub hare, in particular, has a grizzly-grey back interspersed with black fur, providing excellent camouflage as they lie flat and motionless in small ground depressions known as ‘forms’ during the day. In contrast, rabbits are more social, living in burrows or warrens, and are active during daylight hours.

Another significant difference lies in their young. Baby hares, or leverets, are born above ground. Due to the immediate danger they face, leverets are precocial—born fully furred, with open eyes and the ability to move independently shortly after birth. The mother nurses them briefly at night. Baby rabbits, known as kittens, are born altricial—blind, furless, and entirely dependent on their mothers for the first ten days. The mothers keep them safe and warm in burrows.

Scrub hare with babies

Once you spot one scrub hare, you’ll start noticing them frequently, often darting into the road at the sight of headlights. The bright lights can blind them to their surroundings, making them see their own shadows as threats, causing them to zig-zag in an attempt to escape. This is why we turn off the lights to allow them to find safety in the darkness.

scrub hare leverets babies

Next time you’re on a safari, keep an eye on the road and see how many scrub hares you can spot on your way back to the lodge. Happy spotting!

Hancho Olivier – Kapama Buffalo Camp guide

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