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Leporidae - Rabbits, Hares

There are about 62 species in this family. They are native species in all parts of the world, except for Australia and Antarctica. While there are no native species in Australia, some species have been introduced.

Rabbits and hares are found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, forests, the tundra, swamps, and grasslands.

Rabbits and hares have soft fur, long ears, short tails, and powerful rear legs that they use to hop and jump. Hares are usually larger than rabbits. They have longer ears that are black-tipped and are born with fur and with their eyes open.

Rabbits are born blind and hairless! Females in this order are larger than males. Rabbits and hares are herbivores.

  • Pygmy rabbits are found in California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pygmy Rabbit
    (Brachylagus idahoensis)
    Pygmy rabbits are found in California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Hispid hare is found in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. It has two layers of fur: a bristly outer layer, and an under layer which is shorter and finer. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Hispid Hare
    (Caprolagus hispidus)
    The Hispid hare is found in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. It has two layers of fur: a bristly outer layer, and an under layer which is shorter and finer. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The antelope jackrabbit is found along the western coast of Mexico and in southern Arizona. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Antelope Jackrabbit
    (Lepus alleni)
    The antelope jackrabbit is found along the western coast of Mexico and in southern Arizona. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • In the winter, the snowshoe hare is almost entirely white, except for black eyelids and blackened tips on its ears. It is found in Alaska and much of Canada and in mountainous areas in the northern U.S. It is found in New Hampshire.. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Snowshoe Hare
    (Lepus americanus)
    In the winter, the snowshoe hare is almost entirely white, except for black eyelids and blackened tips on its ears. It is found in Alaska and much of Canada and in mountainous areas in the northern U.S. It is found in New Hampshire.. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Arctic hare has large, heavily padded feet. It I found in Canada and Greenland. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Arctic Hare
    (Lepus arcticus)
    The Arctic hare has large, heavily padded feet. It I found in Canada and Greenland. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Japanese hare is found across Japan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Japanese Hare
    (Lepus brachyurus)
    The Japanese hare is found across Japan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-tailed jackrabbit is found is found throughout the southwestern United States into Mexico, as far east as Missouri, north into Washington, Idaho, Colorado and Nebraska, and west to California and Baja California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Tailed Jackrabbit
    (Lepus californicus)
    The black-tailed jackrabbit is found is found throughout the southwestern United States into Mexico, as far east as Missouri, north into Washington, Idaho, Colorado and Nebraska, and west to California and Baja California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-sided jackrabbit is found in Arizona and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    White-Sided Jackrabbit
    (Lepus callotis)
    The white-sided jackrabbit is found in Arizona and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The Cape hare is found in Africa and the Middle East. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Cape Hare
    (Lepus capensis)
    The Cape hare is found in Africa and the Middle East. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The broom hare is active at night and is rarely seen during the day. It is found in northern Spain in the Cantabrian Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Broom Hare
    (Lepus castroviejoi)
    The broom hare is active at night and is rarely seen during the day. It is found in northern Spain in the Cantabrian Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The Korean hare is found in China and North and South Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Korean Hare
    (Lepus coreanus)
    The Korean hare is found in China and North and South Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Corsican hare is found in Italy. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Corsican Hare
    (Lepus corsicanus)
    The Corsican hare is found in Italy. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The European hare is found across Europe and the Middle East. It has been introduced to North America, South America, and Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    European Hare
    (Lepus europaeus)
    The European hare is found across Europe and the Middle East. It has been introduced to North America, South America, and Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The tehuantepec jackrabbit is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Tehuantepec Jackrabbit
    (Lepus flavigularis)
    The tehuantepec jackrabbit is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The Iberian hare is found in Portugal and Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Iberian Hare
    (Lepus granatensis)
    The Iberian hare is found in Portugal and Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The African savannah hare is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    African Savanna Hare
    (Lepus microtis)
    The African savannah hare is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Indian hare is found in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Indian Hare
    (Lepus nigricollis)
    The Indian hare is found in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The woolly hare is found at high altitudes in the Tibetan plateau in western/southwestern China, India, and northern Nepal. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Woolly Hare
    (Lepus oiostolus)
    The woolly hare is found at high altitudes in the Tibetan plateau in western/southwestern China, India, and northern Nepal. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Alaskan hares are the largest hare species in North America. They are found on the west coast of Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Alaskan Hare
    (Lepus othus)
    Alaskan hares are the largest hare species in North America. They are found on the west coast of Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Burmese hare is found in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Burmese Hare
    (Lepus peguensis)
    The Burmese hare is found in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The scrub hare is found in the savanna woodland and scrub areas of Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Scrub Hare
    (Lepus saxatilis)
    The scrub hare is found in the savanna woodland and scrub areas of Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Ethiopian highland hare is found in the highlands of Ethiopia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Ethiopian Highland Hare
    (Lepus starcki)
    The Ethiopian highland hare is found in the highlands of Ethiopia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The desert hare is found in Afghanistan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Desert Hare
    (Lepus tibetanus)
    The desert hare is found in Afghanistan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The mountain hare is nocturnal. It is found across much of Europe and northern Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mountain Hare
    (Lepus timidus)
    The mountain hare is nocturnal. It is found across much of Europe and northern Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Tolai hare is found in Afghanistan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tolai Hare
    (Lepus tolai)
    The Tolai hare is found in Afghanistan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • White-tailed jackrabbits prefer open grasslands. It is found in California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Tailed Jackrabbit
    (Lepus townsendii)
    White-tailed jackrabbits prefer open grasslands. It is found in California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The European rabbit is found in western Europe and northern Africa, and it has been introduced to Australia and South America. It prefers habitats in dry areas near sea level with soft, sandy soil that is easy to burrow into. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    European Rabbit
    (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
    The European rabbit is found in western Europe and northern Africa, and it has been introduced to Australia and South America. It prefers habitats in dry areas near sea level with soft, sandy soil that is easy to burrow into. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The Amami rabbit is found only in dense old-growth forests on the Japanese islands of Amami-Oshima and Tokuno-Shima. They have small ears, a very small tail, and very long claws. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Amami Rabbit
    (Pentalagus furnessi)
    The Amami rabbit is found only in dense old-growth forests on the Japanese islands of Amami-Oshima and Tokuno-Shima. They have small ears, a very small tail, and very long claws. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • Jameson’s red rock hare is found in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Jameson's Red Rock Hare
    (Pronolagus randensis)
    Jameson’s red rock hare is found in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Smith’s red rock hare is found in rocky habitats in Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Smith's Red Rock Hare
    (Pronolagus rupestris)
    Smith’s red rock hare is found in rocky habitats in Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Hewitt’s red rock hare is found in Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Hewitt's Red Rock Hare
    (Pronolagus saundersiae)
    Hewitt’s red rock hare is found in Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The volcano rabbit is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Volcano Rabbit
    (Romerolagus diazi)
    The volcano rabbit is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The swamp rabbit is found in most of the south-central United States and the Gulf Coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Swamp Rabbit
    (Sylvilagus aquaticus)
    The swamp rabbit is found in most of the south-central United States and the Gulf Coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The desert cottontail is found throughout much of southwestern North America, from northern Montana down to central Mexico, and as far west as the Pacific coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Desert Cottontail
    (Sylvilagus audubonii)
    The desert cottontail is found throughout much of southwestern North America, from northern Montana down to central Mexico, and as far west as the Pacific coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The brush rabbit is found from Oregon south to Baja, California in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brush Rabbit
    (Sylvilagus bachmani)
    The brush rabbit is found from Oregon south to Baja, California in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The tapeti is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Tapeti
    (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)
    The tapeti is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The Mexican cottontail is found in southwestern Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mexican Cottontail
    (Sylvilagus cunicularius)
    The Mexican cottontail is found in southwestern Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The eastern cottontail has a large range that stretches from southern Manitoba and Quebec to Central and northwestern South America. I It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eastern Cottontail
    (Sylvilagus floridanus)
    The eastern cottontail has a large range that stretches from southern Manitoba and Quebec to Central and northwestern South America. I It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Tres Marias cottontail is only found on the Tres Marias Islands off the coast of Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Tres Marias Cottontail
    (Sylvilagus graysoni)
    The Tres Marias cottontail is only found on the Tres Marias Islands off the coast of Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The mountain cottontail is found in the western United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mountain Cottontail
    (Sylvilagus nuttallii)
    The mountain cottontail is found in the western United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Appalachian cottontails are found in forests and brushy areas at high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains from the Hudson River in New York to northern Alabama. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Appalachian Cottontail
    (Sylvilagus obscurus)
    Appalachian cottontails are found in forests and brushy areas at high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains from the Hudson River in New York to northern Alabama. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The marsh rabbit is found in the southeastern United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Marsh Rabbit
    (Sylvilagus palustris)
    The marsh rabbit is found in the southeastern United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The New England cottontail is found in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    New England Cottontail
    (Sylvilagus transitionalis)
    The New England cottontail is found in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable

Did You Know?

Hares are usually larger than rabbits. They have longer ears that are black-tipped ears and are born with fur and with their eyes open.
Hares are usually larger than rabbits. They have longer ears that are black-tipped ears and are born with fur and with their eyes open.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

Eastern Cottontail - Sylvilagus floridanusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Snowshoe Hare - Lepus americanusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America

Other Species Around the World

Arctic Hare - Lepus arcticusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Black-Tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus californicusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Desert Cottontail - Sylvilagus auduboniiLeast ConcernNorth/Central America

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