European Hare

Lepus europaeus is an introduced open-country herbivore widespread in New Zealand. It differs from the European rabbit through longer legs, longer black-tipped ears and an absence of warrens. The body is tawny brown with a pale belly and very long hind legs. Its running gait is powerful and fast.

It occurs across both main islands from farmland to alpine tussock. Open country in Canterbury and Central Otago holds many animals. It browses grasses, herbs and young shoots, mostly at night. Hares rest in shallow surface forms rather than underground burrows.

New Zealand treats it as Introduced rather than threat-ranked. The Mackenzie Basin and rural roads around Alexandra are good places for dusk sightings.