Whether it be Bugs Bunny or the cottontail, we have all heard of a rabbit. However, what we think of when we hear the name “rabbit” may be different.

Many times we picture all small four legged creatures with large ears, brown fur and white tufted tails as rabbits but you will find that many of these look-a-likes have distinctive differences.

For example, the rabbit and the hare - what's the difference?

The common names rabbit and hare are often used interchangeably, but in reality the two are a very different.

Let's start with the beginning of life. The offspring of rabbits, called bunnies, are born naked and blind.

Their mother has a comfy nest for them with layers of grass, bark and soft stems blanketed by her own hair. When the mother leaves the nest, she covers the bunnies with more hair and leaf litter to keep them warm and safe from predators. By the time the bunnies are 3 weeks old, they can care for themselves.

Leverets, known as the offspring of hares, are born with their eyes open, a full coat of fur and they are capable of hopping about almost immediately. Their mother builds a rather simple nest but many times relies on bare ground under a brush pile.

However, leverets can care for themselves within a few days.

As far as anatomy, the hare is generally larger than the rabbit and has longer hind legs and ears. The skulls of rabbits and hares are also distinctly different.

Both rabbits and hares have thick fur. They have two kinds of hair forming their coat: the first type is dense and soft under hair for insulation and the second type is coarse and longer guard hair for protection against wear and to provide coloration.

Rabbits and hares both molt (shed their fur) and then grow new hair twice a year.

A rabbit's brown summer coat is replaced with grayer fur for the winter months.

Hares on the other hand will go from a brown summer coat to white fur for the winter.

Rabbits are very social animals and are often found together. In fact, male rabbits will fight for dominance within a group. The one who becomes the dominate male mates with most of the females in the area.

If a predator enters the area, rabbits escape by diving into a hole or burrowing into a deep depression found under some brush.

Hares often live solitary lives and only come together for mating purposes so there is little or no fighting. During the day, hares hide among plants and escape predators by running.

A hare can out-jump any rabbit and does not tire as quickly either.

Renee Jensen is a community educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County