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How do newborn rabbits differ from newborn hares?
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rabbit
European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
Newborn rabbits and hares differ significantly in their physical development at birth, a distinction rooted in their different life histories.
- Newborn Rabbits: These are born in a relatively helpless state, characterized by being hairless and having their eyes closed. They typically require the protection of a burrow to survive.12
- Newborn Hares: In contrast, hares are born in a precocial state, meaning they are fully developed, covered in fur, and have their eyes open at birth.123
These differences are also reflected in their gestation periods: rabbits have a shorter gestation of 30–31 days, while hares have a longer gestation of approximately 42 days.12