Are rabbits and hares classified as the same species?

Rabbits and hares are not classified as the same species; they belong to different genera within the family Leporidae. Specifically, rabbits are classified in the genus Oryctolagus and some related genera, while hares belong to the genus Lepus. These classifications reflect significant biological differences between the two groups, including variations in physiology, behavior, and habitat preferences. For instance, hares are typically larger than rabbits and have longer hind legs, which adapt them for running at high speeds, while rabbits generally have a more social structure, often living in groups in burrows.

The distinction is also evident in their reproductive strategies and the way they care for their young. Hares give birth to precocial young that are relatively mature and able to hop shortly after birth, whereas rabbit offspring are altricial, born hairless and blind, requiring substantial care from their mothers. This biological divergence underscores the fact that while they share a family, rabbits and hares represent distinct species with unique adaptations to their environments.