Leporidae

Leporidae is the family of rabbits and hares, comprising over 70 species. The name comes from the Latin word for “hare.” Alongside pikas, they belong to the order Lagomorpha. Commonly, “rabbit” refers to all genera except Lepus, which includes most hares. While indigenous species exist on all continents except Antarctica and Australia, the European rabbit has been introduced widely, posing ecological threats.

Leporids are small to moderately sized mammals with long hind legs, adapted for speed. They have distinctive elongated ears, excellent hearing, and good night vision. Size varies from the 21 cm Tres Marias cottontail to the 76 cm desert hare, and females are typically larger than males. They are herbivorous, mainly consuming grasses and leaves, and practice cecotrophy to absorb nutrients from their food. Leporids thrive in diverse habitats, with rabbits often digging burrows for shelter, unlike hares.

They are generally polygynandrous, and some exhibit complex social structures. Gestation ranges from 28 to 50 days, longer in hares, with young hares being precocial and rabbits altricial. Leporids can produce several litters yearly, which may lead to rapid population increases under favorable conditions.