The Irish hare is one of our most widespread wild mammals, present from sea shore to mountain top and familiar on bogs as well as on farmland. It is Ireland’s only native lagomorph (a group which includes all hare and rabbit species) The Irish hare is a sub-species of Lepus timidus. This species has a widespread distribution across the northern hemisphere, from Ireland to the Pacific Ocean.
In general, hares tend to be nocturnal animals, feeding mainly at night and spending the day in a inactive state. In winter, when the nights are long, very little daytime activity may be observed, but during the spring when breeding behavior us at its height. The two best known images are of the “mad March hare” and the “boxing hare” and both are linked with breeding activity.
