2 days ago
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Spring in the UK is a funny old thing. One minute it’s snowing, the next the daffodils are out, and everything feels hopeful again.
For me, the real signal that winter is finally losing its grip isn’t the flowers; it’s a silhouette on the horizon.
If you walk the open fields of the Fens or the rolling chalk downs, you might have spotted it: a lanky, long-eared shape sprinting across the stubble at breakneck speed. The Brown Hare.
We’ve all heard the phrase “Mad as a March Hare.” It was made famous by Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland, but the saying is centuries older. And if you’ve ever seen them this time of year, you’ll know why. They chase, they leap, and most famously, they box.
But here is the thing: for years, I assumed (like most people) that these boxing matches were two males fighting over territory. I was wrong. The truth is much more interesting—and a lot more feisty.
The Myth of the Prize Fight
The traditional view was simple: two males (bucks) put up their dukes to fight for the right to mate. A classic dominance scrap.
But modern science—and a lot of patient observation—has flipped this idea on its head. In the vast majority of cases, the boxing match isn’t between two males. It’s a female (doe) fighting off a male.
Here is the scenario: The male is full of the joys of spring (and testosterone). He chases the female relentlessly. If she isn’t ready to mate, or if he’s just being a bit too pushy, she doesn’t just run away. She stops, stands on her hind legs, and wallops him.
It’s not a fight for dominance; it’s a rejection. Or, perhaps, a test. Some naturalists believe she is testing his stamina and persistence. If he can take a few punches and keep up with her during the chase, he might just be worthy.
Hare vs. Rabbit: Spotting the Difference
I often get asked how to tell a hare from a rabbit from a distance. Once you’ve seen a hare up close, you’ll never mistake them again, but here are the giveaways:
The Ears: A hare’s ears are massive and, crucial for spotting them, have distinctive black tips.
The Legs: Hares are much leggier. They look almost too big for their bodies, giving them a slightly awkward, loping gait when walking, but turning them into rockets when they run.
The Home: Rabbits live underground in warrens. Hares live entirely above ground. They don’t dig burrows; they just scrape a shallow hollow in the earth called a “form” and hunker down. If you see a long-eared animal bolt from the middle of an open field, it’s a hare.
The Usain Bolt of the British Isles
It is hard to appreciate just how fast these creatures are until you see one go full throttle.
While a rabbit scurries away for cover, a hare relies on pure speed to outrun predators.
They can reach speeds of 45 mph (72 km/h). That makes them the fastest land mammal in the UK.
They don’t just run in a straight line, either; they zig-zag to break the line of sight of any predator chasing them.
Where to See the Spectacle
While March is the traditional month (hence the name), the breeding season actually stretches well into summer, so don’t worry if you miss them in March itself.
Hares love open ground. They need sightlines to use that incredible speed. I’ve had my best sightings in:
- The Fens (Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire): The flat, open landscape is hare heaven.
- Havergate Island (Suffolk): A fantastic spot where they are relatively used to people.
- RSPB Frampton Marsh: You can often see them right from the sea bank.
A Moment of Magic
There is something ancient about seeing a hare. They feel wilder, more mysterious than the rabbit.
Next time you are out on a hike and you see two shapes dancing and sparring in the distance, take a moment to watch.
You aren’t just watching a fight; you’re watching a high-stakes courtship dance that has been playing out on these islands for thousands of years.
And if she wins the round? Well, he’ll just have to try harder next time.
English (US) · 