Japanese Hare (Lepus brachyurus) lives in temperate forests across East Asia. It feeds on grasses and leaves. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Japanese Hare
- On the northern islands such as Sado, the Japanese hare discards its brown summer pelage in the autumn months and adopts a white winter coat. The colour change begins in mid-September and continues until the end of November, keeping the animal camouflaged in snowy conditions. When the snow melts, the hare reverts to its brown fur from the end of January through May, restoring its summer appearance.
- Japanese hares have become adept at inhabiting urban and suburban settings as human development spreads across their range. They are now frequently seen in towns and cities, where their presence is often considered a nuisance by residents. Despite being a mountain and hill species, they can thrive at altitudes up to 2,700 metres and in brushy or forested areas, showing remarkable flexibility in habitat use.
- A Japanese hare eats between 200 and 500 grams of plant material each day, which corresponds to roughly 10 to 20 percent of its body mass. Its diet is highly varied, encompassing more than 150 species of grasses, herbs, twigs, shoots and even the bark of larger twigs. To maximise nutrient intake, the hare also practices coprophagy, re-eating its own feces to recover nitrogen. This extensive foraging strategy supports its rapid growth and high metabolic demands.
- Japanese hares typically live just over a year, though a few manage to survive up to four years in the wild. They spend most of their time alone, only gathering with others during the breeding season. Their nocturnal activity pattern runs from about 19:00 to 08:00, keeping them hidden from many threats. Predators such as red foxes, Japanese martens, weasels and several birds of prey regularly hunt them.
- The Japanese hare inhabits the three main islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, but is absent from Hokkaido where the mountain hare fills the niche. It thrives at elevations up to 2,700 metres, favouring mountainous and hilly terrain as well as forested and brushy patches. Despite its preference for wild habitats, the species has also colonised urban and suburban areas, often becoming a nuisance to residents.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeEast Asia
HabitatTemperate forests
DietGrasses and leaves
About the Japanese Hare
In the lush meadows and forests of Japan, the Japanese hare moves with a quiet elegance, its large brown eyes watchful as it navigates a world of subtle beauty. With each effortless bound, its long hind legs propel it forward in a blur of motion, a testament to the remarkable agility that allows it to thrive in this island landscape. As it disappears into the underbrush, its soft grey coat blending seamlessly with the shadows, we are reminded of the elusive charm of this captivating creature.
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