Rabbits are adorable animals renowned for their soft fur, long ears and hopping behavior. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, from the tiny pygmy rabbit to the Flemish giant rabbit. Their short tails and twitchy ears help them keep watch for predators. Their fur is prized for its softness, and angora rabbits produce a silky, long-fibered wool that is used in some of the world’s best clothing.
The bunny is also a beloved character in many children’s books and movies, including Alice in Wonderland, Watership Down, and The Tale of Peter Rabbit. This makes it no surprise that people often use the terms bunny and rabbit interchangeably—but this is not a good idea for a scientific context. Both rabbits and hares are members of the Leporidae family, but they differ in several ways, such as their habitats, gestation periods, and other physical traits.
For example, baby rabbits are called kits, while babies hares are called leverets. In addition, hares have longer ears and larger bodies than rabbits. They are also more solitary and have 48 chromosomes, while rabbits have 44. While the difference between a rabbit and a hare may seem minor, it’s important to know the difference in order to make sure you’re using the correct terminology for your research or writing. You might find it easier to remember these differences if you picture an adorable bunny in your head as you read!