What Is the Female Hare’s Name and Its Incredible Biological Secret?

Often mistaken for the rabbit, the female hare actually has a distinct name of her own and unique survival skills. This discreet mammal employs extraordinary biological strategies to propagate its species in the wild, far from sheltered burrows.

Why the hase, this little-known name derived from Dutch, designates specifically the female hare

The term hase comes from the old Dutch haas, once used to designate hares in general. Over time, the French language narrowed this usage to refer exclusively to the female. This specialized vocabulary remains mainly employed by wildlife specialists and hunters.

To be completely precise about this animal family, the male bears the name jack. Their offspring are called leverets. A classic litter usually comprises between two and four young, who must quickly face the hazards of their outdoor environment.

The major physical and behavioral differences to no longer confuse hare and rabbit

Although they share a similar appearance, these two lagomorphs have belonged to distinct biological genera for millions of years. The hare favors a solitary life on the surface. It settles in plains and open fields, never seeking shelter underground.

By contrast, the wild rabbit thrives within a well-organized community. Members of its group construct and maintain expansive complex burrows. Their morphology adapts to these habitats. The hare, meanwhile, has a slender body built for speed.

This sturdy physiology enables the hare to reach speeds of up to 70 km/h to flee predators by making wide zigzags. Moreover, a careful look at its head reveals particularly long ears. These are clearly marked by a dark patch at their tips.

The superfetation phenomenon, or the astonishing reproductive strategy of the free-roaming hase

The female hare surprises scientists with her ability to carry out two gestations simultaneously. This rare biological process is called superfetation. Concretely, the female can conceive a new litter of leverets while she is already pregnant with the previous one, thereby optimizing her reproductive cycle.

Moreover, the young hares are born fully furred and with their eyes open. These animals are described as nidifugous, because they display immediate autonomy. To protect them, the mother nurses them only once a day at dusk, reducing the risks posed by predators.

A vulnerable lifestyle amid environmental changes and population decline

Unlike the leverets that grow up sheltered, the leverets stay motionless on the ground in a shallow depression known as la forme. This lack of subterranean protection leaves the species particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities.

Currently, the spread of intensive agriculture is seriously disturbing the breeding areas of these wild animals. The gradual removal of hedgerows also deprives hares of hiding places to escape predators, which dramatically weakens the sustainability of their litters.

Consequently, surveys conducted by the LPO and hunting federations reveal a worrying decline in their numbers across several regions of France. Preserving traditional landscapes thus becomes crucial to secure the future of this great plains runner.