Hares

Hares are members of the family Leporidae and are distinguished from rabbits by their larger size and longer hind legs. They are a keystone species which means that other species in the ecosystem rely on them for food and their presence in an area can help the area to stay balanced. Hares can also be used as a food source for humans as well as for their fur which is used for clothing and crafts. They are an important part of the local ecology, providing food for predators such as foxes, owls and eagles, and acting as an important food source for animals such as deer, elk, and moose. Hares are also important to humans in terms of providing a source of recreation, such as hunting and trapping.