wrestling Hares

[snake]

I took the dog for his run this morning and saw for the first time this year, a pair of hares boxing, they were having quite a sparring match spending a fairly long time on their back legs and boxing each other. Then something I have never seen before, they clung on to each other and started rolling about on the ground, more a wrestling match than boxing. They carried on in this fashion for two or three minutes then both stood up faced each other for a few seconds then ran off in different directions.
Strange behavior, I have watched many hares in the past but never have I seen them wrestle in this manner.

[Wild-Woman]

I suppose we're only a month away from the mad march hares season. Perhaps they were getting some practise in.

[james bennet]

A few years ago I spent some time working for a seal sanctuary in Ireland. The accomodation for international volunteers was, rather strangely, in a detention centre for asylum seekers. Walking back through the car park one morning I was amazed to see Irish hares chasing each other around amongst the cars, and almost bumping into people's legs. No-one seemed at all surprised by their antics but I sat on the grass and watched them for a good twenty minutes. It was the first and last time I have ever seen hares fighting but it remains one of my favourite wildlife moments and it's something I'll never forget.

[mbaldw]

Then something I have never seen before, they clung on to each other and started rolling about on the ground, more a wrestling match than boxing. They carried on in this fashion for two or three minutes then both stood up faced each other for a few seconds then ran off in different directions.

Very interesting observation; thanks for sharing snake. I've never seen, or read about, hares 'wrestling', but on page eight of her 2005 book The Hare, Jill Mason has a photo by husband and wildlife photographer David, showing two hares on their hind legs with forelegs crossing (as though they had their 'arms' on each other's shoulders). Elsewhere, there are several references suggesting that hare fights can get quite nasty, with some even dying as a result. Given that persistent boxing may turn into biting and scratching, perhaps this -- or part of such a behaviour ‘chain’ -- was what you were witnessing?

Cheers,
Marc.