Head to head
Hispid Hare vs Hare
The hispid hare is a member of the hare family in name, but its short legs, short ears, and coarse fur make it an outlier compared to the fast, long-limbed build typical of hares generally.
| Hispid Hare | Hare | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Caprolagus hispidus | Lepus (genus) |
| Body build | Short ears and legs, unusually compact for a hare | Long legs and long ears, built for speed |
| Fur texture | Coarse, bristly | Varies by species, generally soft |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Mostly Least Concern, though some species declining |
| Habitat | Tall grassland specifically | Open ground generally, from grassland to tundra |
| Top speed | Not built for speed | Some species reach near 70 km/h |
| Native range | Base of the Himalayas | Nearly worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore |
Hispid Hare vs Hare: common questions
Is the hispid hare typical of hares generally?
Not really; most hares have long legs and long ears built for speed, while the hispid hare instead has a short, compact, coarse-furred build more reminiscent of a rabbit.
Why is the hispid hare more endangered than most hares?
Its dependence on tall grassland habitat, which has been extensively converted for agriculture and flood control across its limited range, has left it far more threatened than most of the roughly 33 hare species, most of which remain Least Concern.
Where are hares found generally, compared to the hispid hare specifically?
Hares as a genus are found across nearly every continent except Australia and Antarctica, while the hispid hare specifically is restricted to tall grassland at the base of the Himalayas.