What kind of animal is the Japanese hare? Learn about its characteristics, ecology, and habitat in the latest edition. Find it in parks and forests!

What kind of animal is the Japanese hare? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. As the name suggests, it is a hare and can be seen in most areas of Japan, making it a fairly famous rabbit. However, some species have been designated as endangered species, so they are in need of protection.

What is a Japanese hare? About basic status

The Japanese hare is a rabbit classified in the Lagomorpha (Lagomorpha) family and Lagomorpha family. The scientific name is Lepus brachyurus and the kanji is Japanese hare. The body length is 40-50 cm and the weight is 1-2 kg. The list of information is as follows.

Japanese（和名）	ニホンノウサギ
English（英名）	Japanese hare
scientific name(学名)	Lepus brachyurus
classification（分類）	Mammalia、Lagomorpha、 Leporidae、Lepus 哺乳綱、ウサギ目、ウサギ科、ノウサギ属
IUCN Status(保全状況)	LEAST CONCERN
Length（体長）	40-50cm
Weight（体重）	1-2kg

What are the roots and origins of the Japanese hare?

The Japanese hare is considered a native species that evolved in isolation on the Japanese archipelago over a long period, descending from hares (Lepus species) of the Eurasian continent.

① Ancestry: Continental Hares

Taxonomically, the Japanese hare belongs to the genus Lepus within the family Leporidae.

Its ancestral hares were widely distributed across:

Eastern China

The Korean Peninsula

The Russian Far East

The broader East Asian region

It is believed that some of these hares crossed over to the Japanese archipelago in the distant past and underwent a unique evolutionary process.

② Time of Arrival in the Japanese Archipelago

While the exact timing is still a subject of debate, genetic and fossil evidence suggests a high probability that they entered Japan:

Between several hundred thousand years ago and the Pleistocene epoch (approx. 2.58 million to 10,000 years ago)

During that era, sea levels dropped due to glacial periods,

reducing the distance between the Korean Peninsula and the Kyushu area,

as well as between the continent and the Japanese archipelago,

compared to present-day distances.

This created an environment that allowed the ancestral hares to migrate.

③ Unique Evolution on the Islands

Once in Japan, the hares became isolated from the continental populations.

As a result, traits such as:

Body size

Coat color

Skull shape

Genetic characteristics

…underwent changes, eventually resulting in the modern Japanese hare.

④ Regional Evolution (Subspeciation)

Japanese hares exhibit regional variations within Japan.

Representative subspecies include:

Kyushu hare (Kyushu)

Sado hare (Sado Island)

Tohoku hare (Northeastern Honshu)

Japanese hare (Nominate subspecies; Honshu, etc.)

Adaptations to snowy environments are particularly evident in regions with heavy snowfall, such as:

Winter coats turning white

Slightly larger body size

About classification

The Japanese hare has the following subspecies: There are endemic rabbit species not only on Honshu, but also on Sado Island and the Oki Islands.

• L. b. brachyurus　キュウシュウノウサギ
• L. b. angustidens　トウホクノウサギ
• L. b. lyoni　サドノウサギ
• L. b. okiensis　オキノウサギ

classification

階級	分類
界	動物界（Animalia）
門	脊索動物門（Chordata）
綱	哺乳綱（Mammalia）
目	ウサギ目（Lagomorpha）
科	ウサギ科（Leporidae）
属	ノウサギ属（Lepus）
種	ニホンノウサギ（Lepus brachyurus）

About habitat

The Japanese hare is distributed mainly in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan. The creatures are also managed at the zoo and can be seen in information about events.

1. Distribution in Japan

Widely distributed across Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu

Not naturally distributed in Hokkaido (the Hokkaido rabbit is also found there)

Subspecies exist on remote islands such as the Oki Islands

2. Habitat

The Japanese hare has adapted to a variety of environments, not just forests.

Forests and forest edges

Secondary forests, bamboo groves, deciduous broadleaf forests, etc.

Farmland and satoyama (satoyama)

Commonly found in the grassy areas around rice paddies and fields

Grasslands and riverbanks

Areas with abundant food and relatively few predators

3. Altitude and Climate

Flatlands to mountainous areas (altitudes up to approximately 200-1500m)

Adapted to seasonal changes

Brownish fur provides camouflage in summer

May turn whitish in winter in snow-covered areas

4. Habitat adaptations through distinctive behavior

Rests in brush, rock shade, or thickets during the day

Active at night, feeding on grass and young shoots

Travels short distances and has a territorial lifestyle

feature is? What kind of creature is it?

The Japanese hare has brown fur all over its body, and white fur on its abdomen. Populations that live in snow-covered areas on the Sea of Japan side have white fur all over their bodies in winter. The appearance differs depending on the species. Japanese hares live mainly in grasslands and forests, and are often solitary. During the day, they hide and protect themselves from natural predators by resting in bushes or at the base of trees, so they are primarily nocturnal rabbits. Rabbits live in holes.

1. Physical Characteristics

Body Length: Approximately 40-55cm

Weight: Approximately 1.5-3kg

Coat Color: Varies with Season

Summer: Brown to Yellowish Brown

Winter: May change to pale white or gray in snowy areas

Ears: Relatively short, with black tips

Tail: Small and white

Legs: Long hind legs, adapted for quick jumping

2. Behavior/Habits

Nocturnal

Rests in bushes, thickets, or under rocks during the day

Active at night, searching for food

Diet

Herbivore: Feeds on grass, bark, buds, seeds, etc.

Changes diet depending on the season

Locomotion/Movement

High jumping ability, quickly flees when threatened

Jumping distances can reach several meters

3. Breeding and Rearing

Breeding Season: Spring to Autumn (April to October)

Gestation Period: Approximately 40 Days

Baby Rabbits

Births: 1 to 4 pups per litter

Baby rabbits are born with fur and their eyes are open (they are hidden in burrows)

They begin foraging on their own within a few weeks

4. Natural Predators and Defense

Natural Predators: Hawks, owls, foxes, dogs, and cats

Defense Methods

Hiding in bushes

Quickly leaping to escape

Fur color blends in with the surrounding environment (protective coloration)

What is your personality like?

Japanese hares are generally considered to be gentle, but they also have a nervous side, and are very cautious due to the risk of being attacked by natural enemies.

1. Basic Personality

Timid and cautious

Due to their numerous natural predators, they are always cautious of their surroundings

Highly reactive to the presence of humans, dogs, cats, etc.

Highly independent

Typically solitary

May exhibit territorial behavior

2. Sociality

Rarely found in groups

Generally solitary

Except for breeding season and parent-child interactions, they rarely interact with other individuals

Parent-child relationships

Baby rabbits become very independent soon after birth

Mothers raise their young for several weeks, but do not interact with them for long periods

3. Activity and Personality Characteristics

Nocturnal and cautious

Resting motionlessly in bushes or under rocks during the day

Foraging and moving at night

Curious, but reserved

Wary of new environments and sounds

Once they determine it is safe, they will graze and move about

4. Defensive instinct

Escape is their number one priority

If they encounter a predator, they will quickly leap away.

They have high jumping ability, allowing them to escape over obstacles.

They use camouflage to hide.

Their brown or gray body coloring allows them to easily blend in with the surrounding grass and soil.

What does the ecology look like?

Japanese hares are herbivores, subsisting on grass, leaves, buds, bark, etc. The reproductive form is viviparous and the gestation period is 40 days. They can give birth to 1 to 4 cubs at a time, and the young can move around a week after birth and become independent within a month. Sexual maturity can occur in 8-10 months. The lifespan is said to be less than 5 years.

1. Diet/Foraging

Primarily herbivorous

Eats grass, young shoots, bark, buds, vegetables, and seeds.

Seasonal diet changes

Spring to summer: Grass and young shoots

Autumn to winter: Bark and dry plants

Foraging behavior

Forages primarily at night (nocturnal)

Rests in bushes, rocks, or grass patches during the day

2. Activity patterns

Nocturnal: Active from dusk to night

Daytime hiding: Rests in bushes or rocks to protect themselves from predators

Movement: Moves by quick hops over short distances

Jumping distances can reach several meters or more

Mostly stays within their territory

3. Breeding and Rearing

Breeding Season: Spring to Autumn (April to October)

Gestation Period: Approximately 40 Days

Birthing

Approximately 1-4 babies per litter

Baby rabbits are born with fur and eyes open.

Rearing

The mother raises them in a den for several weeks.

They quickly become independent and quickly become independent.

4. Sociality

Generally solitary.

Except during breeding season and during parent-child interactions, they rarely interact with other rabbits.

Other rabbits may be active nearby at night.

Are there any natural enemies?

Japanese hares are full of natural enemies, including dogs, cats, foxes, weasels, and even bears.

About Molting

The molting process (shedding and regrowing fur) in the Japanese hare (Lepus brachyurus) is a crucial adaptation for coping with seasonal environmental changes. However, not all regional populations turn white; the shift is most pronounced in areas with heavy snowfall.

🌱 Spring Molt (Winter Coat → Summer Coat)

Timing: Around March–May

The coat transitions from white winter fur to a summer coat ranging from brownish-brown to grayish-brown.

Characteristics:

White winter fur is shed

Color change begins on the back and head

Fur becomes shorter and more breathable

Purpose:

Adapting to heat

Providing camouflage in forests and grasslands

☀️ Summer Coat Period

Timing: Around June–September

The summer coat takes on:

Brown

Grayish-brown

Yellowish-brown

…tones.

Characteristics:

Short, low-density fur

Facilitates body temperature regulation

Blends in with the color of vegetation

🍂 Autumn Molt (Summer Coat → Winter Coat)

Timing: Around September–December

The coat thickens in preparation for winter.

Characteristics:

Undercoat increases

Fur becomes longer and denser

Turns white in regions with heavy snowfall

❄️ Winter Coat Period

Timing: Around December–March

In individuals living in snowy regions,

Ear tips

Paws

Tail

…may remain colored while the rest of the body turns white.

Purpose:

Camouflage against snow

Heat retention

Vocalizations

The Japanese hare (Lepus brachyurus) is a very quiet animal that rarely makes noise under normal circumstances. While rabbits are often associated with hopping about, wild Japanese hares do not rely much on vocal communication.

① Alert/Fear: “Kii!” or “Kee!”

This is their most well-known vocalization.

They may make this sound when:

Caught by a predator

Experiencing intense fear

Under extreme stress

Characteristics:

Very high-pitched

A short, scream-like sound

Carries well through forests at night

Soundイメージ:
“Kiiiii!”
“Gya!”

② Sounds made by young hares (kits)

Young individuals may produce:

Soft squeaks

Snorting or sniffing sounds

Calls to their mother

Soundイメージ:
“Pi, pi”
“Ku, ku”

③ Threat/Contact sounds

Adult individuals may exhibit behaviors such as:

Snorting

Light tooth-clicking

Soft growling

Seasonal Activities

The Japanese hare (Lepus brachyurus) is a non-hibernating wild rabbit that remains active throughout the year. Key seasonal changes occur in diet, breeding, coat color, and activity patterns.

🌱 Spring (March–May)

Activity Level: ★★★★★ (High)

Spring is a period of significantly increased activity.

Key Behaviors:

Onset of breeding activity

Foraging on new shoots and young leaves

Expansion of home range

Characteristics:

Males observed chasing females

Increased chasing and leaping behaviors during the breeding season

Vegetation sprouts, providing abundant food

Breeding:

Breeds multiple times from spring through autumn

Gestation period is approximately one month

☀️ Summer (June–August)

Activity Level: ★★★★☆

Activity patterns shift to avoid the heat.

Key Behaviors:

Foraging from evening through night

Resting in cool thickets or forests

Feeding primarily on herbaceous plants

Characteristics:

Hiding and resting during the day

Increased activity in the morning and evening

Coat thins out (summer coat), facilitating body temperature regulation

Diet:

Grass

Leaves

Young branches

Tree bark

🍂 Autumn (September–November)

Activity Level: ★★★★★ (High)

Autumn is a crucial season for preparing for winter.

Key Behaviors:

Increased food intake

Nutrient accumulation

Molting to winter coat

Characteristics:

Securing food before grass becomes scarce

Utilizing tree buds and bark

Potential expansion of home range

Molting:

Transition from summer coat to winter coat

Develops a white winter coat in cold regions

❄️ Winter (December–February)

Activity Level: ★★★☆☆ to ★★★★☆

Does not hibernate.

Key Behaviors:

Foraging at night

Moving across snow

Utilizing resting sites

Characteristics:

Activity level decreases slightly

Increased travel distance in areas with scarce food

Becomes less conspicuous against the snow in regions where the coat turns white

Diet:

Tree buds

Tree bark

Branches

Dried grass

Locomotion Speed

While there is limited detailed data on the walking speed of wild Japanese hares (Lepus brachyurus), their physical capabilities suggest the following ranges:

Estimated Movement Speeds

• Normal movement: Approx. 2–5 km/h
• Slow movement (while foraging): Approx. 1–3 km/h
• Cautious movement: Approx. 10–20 km/h
• Flight (full-speed sprint): Approx. 40–70 km/h

Characteristics of Movement

Rather than a standard “walk,” the Japanese hare’s movement is characterized by:

• Slow hopping
• Short, quick movements
• Sudden stops

Normal conditions:

• Lands front feet first, followed by hind feet
• Moves while scanning the surroundings

In times of danger:

• Kicks the ground powerfully with hind legs
• Runs in a zigzag pattern
• Makes sharp turns

…engaging in these types of escape behaviors.

Reasons for High-Speed ​​Running

Japanese hares possess immense leg strength relative to their body weight.

Key features:

• Well-developed hind legs
• Long leg bones
• Lightweight body
• Flexible spine

These traits enable them to:

• Leap several meters in a single bound
• Accelerate rapidly
• Move at high speeds across mountainous slopes

About Japanese Hare Babies

This article provides a detailed summary of Japanese hare (Lepus brachyurus) baby rabbits.

1. Birth and Early Characteristics

Birth Pattern

Japanese hare rabbits are “temporary nest-raising” types, born in burrows.

They often hide alone in grass or small depressions.

Physical Characteristics

They are born with fur and eyes open (a “mesociliate” type with a rich fur cover).

Ears are short and easily movable.

Weight

Approximately 100-150g

2. Behavior and Lifestyle

Early Activity

They can walk immediately after birth and move around the nest.

The mother does not visit the burrow frequently, often only to nurse.

Independence

They begin to practice grazing within a few days to a week of birth.

They are able to forage almost independently by 2-3 weeks.

3. Growth Process

Postnatal Period: Characteristics and Behavior: Immediately after birth, they grow fur and their eyes are open. They begin to eat grass little by little during the first week or two while nursing from their mother. They can forage independently for about two to three weeks, wandering around the burrow. They can move around without their mother’s protection for about a month, growing rapidly and becoming capable of moving within roughly the same range as their parents.

4. Defensive Instinct

Highly cautious

Even young ones will quickly jump away from predators.

They protect themselves by hiding in bushes and grass.

Is the Japanese hare an endangered species?

Japanese hares can be caught in traps and overhunted for food and for their fur. Due to this, the population of the subspecies Sadono hare has decreased, and it is designated as near-threatened in Niigata Prefecture’s Red Data Book. The Kyushu hare is also protected as an endangered species in Saitama and Yamaguchi prefectures.

1. Conservation Status

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List:

Rating: Least Concern (LC)

Reason: Wide distribution and stable population

Status in Japan:

Widely distributed across Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu

Adapted to satoyama, farmland, and forests

No special conservation measures are currently needed

2. Reasons for Stability

Highly Adaptable to Environment

Can live in forests, grasslands, farmland, and satoyama

Herbivorous, almost omnivorous

Can survive by feeding on grasses, tree buds, and bark seasonally

Highly Reproductive

Can breed several times a year, making it resistant to population decline

3. Caution

Localized declines in populations due to forest development and pesticides

As a wild animal, it can be affected by predators (hawks, owls, foxes, dogs, and cats) and human activity

Can Japanese hares be kept as pets?

Japanese hares are managed under the Wildlife Protection and Management Act, and breeding is possible only if the animals are provided or obtained with a hunting permit based on hunting qualifications and permits. Wild rabbits are found in nature.

need a cage

Rabbits need cages. Make sure you have materials that are safe for chewing, and a set that includes a drinking bowl, toilet, and chewing tree. If you don’t make it as large as possible, your rabbit will feel cramped and stressed. You can get it for around 10,000 to 15,000 yen.

chewable toys

Chewing toys are a must for rabbits. Rabbits’ teeth continue to grow, so if they don’t chew, their teeth will grow too long and they won’t be able to eat.

rabbit food

We recommend special pet food for rabbits. I have also introduced the following articles, so I hope you find them helpful.