lepus capensis

[salukiwhippet]

Originally Posted by thunder

Between 1961 and 1994, the correct name for 'our' Brown Hare was regarded as Lepus capensis. Now it has gone back to Lepus europaeus, but I expect there are still plenty of books about using capensis.

henrya

Well now I know - every day's a schoolday!

Thanks henrya

James

[emz]

Hares can often be found in both broadleaf and coniferous woodland, there has been a considerable amount of research undertaken on this topic. I found that hares use woodland edges as cover during inactive periods (day). They are also capable of living in woodland, where they feed on fresh shoots of herbs, grasses, trees, bark and very young saplings. As long as there is sufficient food and cover, hares are able to inhabit an area.

The reason that you saw three together may be that two males were following a female, they stay with her waiting for her to become receptive before she will allow mating to occur.

I hope that this sheds some light on the matter!

[Cowgirl]

Slightly on subject. Years & years ago when I used to do cereal disease surveys, I was going up a farm drive & a hare ran out of a wood straight into the side of my car & lay twitching with blood pouring from it's nose. Not wanting it to suffer but not being hardened enough to be able to put such a large animal out of its misery & in complete panic I scooped it up in a blanket & tore off to the farmhouse, then off to the farmer & his son who was out in a field. I rushed up gabbled out the story & asked them to kill it, whereupon I produced the blanket & with a dramatic flourish uncovered the mortally injured hare, which miraculously recovered & took off like a bat out of hell for the nearest wood . I was then left holding an empty bloodstained blanket with two farmers looking at me like I was some dangerous escaped mental patient . I took a deep breath, then said calmly, "I'm from ADAS & I'm here as arranged to take some samples from your wheatfield......."

That was my one & only experience with hares & woods, every other experience was with openfields.

[Adrian Vygus]

Yeah but did you make the Barley better?