European Hares

European hares are often grouped with rabbits, but their behaviour and ecology are different.

Hares generally live above ground rather than in warrens and are capable of moving considerable distances.

Potential impacts

Hares can browse and graze:

• pasture
• crops
• young vines
• seedlings
• revegetation
• native vegetation.

Damage can be particularly noticeable where young plants are establishing.

Different behaviour requires a different approach

Because hares do not rely on warrens in the same way as rabbits, traditional rabbit-management techniques such as warren destruction are less useful.

Targeted population control can therefore be an important management tool where hare numbers are causing damage.