Myxy Hares?

[Ausnick 190]

myxomatosis is confined to rabbits.

[D.C. 34]

Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 15, 10315 Berlin, Germany

Introduction

 

Since the 1960’s in many European countries a decline in small game is noted

particularly involving European brown hares [1-3]. For this matter a large variety of

different causes has been suggested [4], as for example altered agricultural processes

seem to have an impact on the distribution of hares [5]. In several European

countries, multiple studies revealed a significant variation in the survival rate of

leverets with low reproductive success under modern agricultural conditions [6,7].

In Germany, predation by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes ) was suggested to be of higher

influence than previously thought [8]. Beside changes of habitat the impact of

diseases in the decreasing numbers of hares is one of the important issues to discuss.

Here, a review of the main infectious diseases in the European Brown hares and their

potential significance in the decrease of this animal species will be given.

Viral diseases

European Brown Hare Syndrome (EBHS)

In 1980, Gavier-Widen and Mörner diagnosed EBHS for the first time during an

epidemic of a fatal disease in hares on the island Gotland (Sweden) with most cases

occurring between October to December [9]. In 1989, Lavazza and Vecchi identified

viral particles as the causative agent, which was classified as a calicivirus [10]. The

EBHS virus (genus: Lagovirus ) is closely related to the Rabbit Haemorrhagic

Disease (RHD) virus . Infections of both viruses are usually lethal and comprise

similar lesions in rabbits and hares with severe acute necrotizing hepatitis and

pulmonary haemorrhages [11]. Eventhough oral or nasal transmission occurs [12]

the oral-faecal route seems to be the most important one [13]. Morbidity and

mortality rates are extremely high with a preferential susceptibility of adult animals,

especially breeders, while animals below the age of 40 days remain unaffected [14].

Since the 1980s many cases of EBHS were reported throughout Europe with a

variety of prevalence ranging from 7% to 90% within the different countries [15-25].

 

Myxomatosis.

Myxomatosis is commonly observed in European wild rabbits (O ryctolagus

c u n i c u l u s ), but in case of high prevalence among rabbit populations single hares can

also contract this viral infection [26].

[D.C. 34]

impossible... Edited March 9, 2012 by D.C.

[D.C. 34]

How do these fools get to put a topic up.

 

:laugh: They occasionally let us fools out to play!

Edited March 9, 2012 by D.C.

[miroku moocher 140]

cant happen. never seen it. while we are at it i read a few years back in a magazine some institute was asking anyone who hunted rabbit if they had seen a rabbit with sheep tick's???and report it to them.. got me thinkin i'v killed 1000's of rabbits and never noticed a tick on any. foxes ,hares, stoats, deers' yes . rabbits no. they reckoned rabbit blood was not liked by ticks. and if they found out why they could make summat to prevent ticks on livestock.. dunno how right it is just what i read. has anyone noticed ticks on rabbit's?????

[D.C. 34]

cant happen. never seen it.

 

Well Thats it then! if YOU'VE never seen it....it couldn't possibly happen

[paulus 26]

you pick a mitsy rabbit up it will be full of fleas and tics they seem to no when an animal is unhealthy

[mossyh07 64]

That scabby face and sore looking eyes is usually the liver fluke or orf around here.

[TOMO 26,069]

as the poster above said paul,,, i can honestly say i have never seen a tick on a rabbit,,, fleas plenty

[Catcher 1 639]

How do these fools get to put a topic up.

 

:laugh: They occasionally let us fools out to play!

 

 

It realy is like the blind leading the blind on here sometime.Some beleave every thing the read.And some know better.Yes sometime we let the fools out to play.Then we have ti listen to the crap they read.Get out and learn youself.

[Catcher 1 639]

How do these fools get to put a topic up.

 

:laugh: They occasionally let us fools out to play!

 

 

It realy is like the blind leading the blind on here sometime.Some beleave every thing the read.And some know better.Yes sometime we let the fools out to play.Then we have ti listen to the crap they read.Get out and learn yourself.

[Catcher 1 639]

t England, Wales and Scotland. Although they have been more recently introduced to Northern Ireland, they have not spread far. They have also been introduced to the Isle of Man and Mainland Orkney. In Scotland brown hares are found on farmland and rough grazing to the far north of the mainland, but are absent from parts of the North West. Brown hares are replaced by mountain hares in upland areas of Scotland and central England.

Brown hares live in very exposed habitats, and they rely on acute senses and running at speeds of up to 70kph (45mph) to evade predators. Hares do not use burrows, but make a small depression in the ground among long grass - this is known as a form. They spend most of the day on or near the form, moving out to feed in the open at night. Though generally solitary, hares sometimes band into loose groups when feeding.

Breeding takes place between February and September and a female can rear three or four litters a year, each of two to four young. The young, known as leverets, are born fully furred with their eyes open and are left by the female in forms a few metres from their birth place. Once a day for the first four weeks of their lives, the leverets gather at sunset to be fed by the female, but otherwise they receive no parental care. This avoids attracting predators to the young at a stage when they are most vulnerable. Foxes are important predators of young hares and where foxes are common there are likely to be few hares. Many hares also die of disease each year.

 

CONSERVATION

Brown hares have little legal protection, partly because they are game animals and can be managed by farmers and landowners, and partly because they are also a minor pest and can damage crops and young tree plantations.

Numbers of hares have declined substantially since the beginning of this century, though they are still common animals in many parts of the country. The main reason for this decline seems to be a change in the way farms are run. Today's modern farms are intensive and specialised, either growing crops like wheat and oilseed rape, or raising livestock for meat and dairy produce. A hundred years ago most farms were mixed enterprises. Mixed farms have a patchwork quilt of fields which provide year-round grazing for hares as well as long crops for them to hide in. Modern cereal farms provide little or no food for hares in late summer and autumn, and livestock farms have few crops for them the hide in. Modern farm machinery and pesticides also kill many hares.

Another reason is that there now appear to be many more foxes in the countryside than there were a hundred years ago - this is probably because there are now fewer gamekeepers and fewer farmers who kept fox numbers down in the past.

Hare shooting still occurs in areas where hares are common and where farms want to reduce crop damage. Hare hunting with beagles and harriers used to occur throughout Britain, and hare coursing events were run by several coursing clubs, but these are now illegal (since Hunting Act 2002) in the UK; hare coursing, though strictly controlled, is still legal in Ireland. Hares are very often poached, particularly with lurchers cross-bred from collies and greyhounds.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is "March hare madness"?

This is part of hare breeding behaviour. The rapid chases are a dominant male driving a rival away from a female he is guarding. "Boxing" is usually a rebuff given by a female to an over-amorous male. It may actually occur at any time in the long breeding season, but is most visible in March (lighter evenings, but vegetation still low).

Do hares get myxomatosis?

No, the disease is confined to rabbits.

How can you tell hares from rabbits?

Differences include the large staring yellow eyes, reddish-brown grizzled fur and black tips to the ears of hares.

How many species of hare are there in Britain?

Two: the mountain, or blue hare Lepus timidus replaces the brown hare on high ground in the Peak District and in much of Scotland and throughout Ireland, from sea level to high altitudes.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Game Conservancy Trust's on-line fact-sheet. Please click here (link will open in a new window).

Harris, S. & Yalden, D.W. (2008) Mammals of the British Isles: Handbook (4th edn). The Mammal Society, Southampton.

McBride, A. (1989) Rabbits and Hares. Whittet Books, London.

Tapper, S. & Yalden, D. (2010) The Brown Hare. The Mammal Society, Southampton

hi

[Catcher 1 639]

 

t England, Wales and Scotland. Although they have been more recently introduced to Northern Ireland, they have not spread far. They have also been introduced to the Isle of Man and Mainland Orkney. In Scotland brown hares are found on farmland and rough grazing to the far north of the mainland, but are absent from parts of the North West. Brown hares are replaced by mountain hares in upland areas of Scotland and central England.

Brown hares live in very exposed habitats, and they rely on acute senses and running at speeds of up to 70kph (45mph) to evade predators. Hares do not use burrows, but make a small depression in the ground among long grass - this is known as a form. They spend most of the day on or near the form, moving out to feed in the open at night. Though generally solitary, hares sometimes band into loose groups when feeding.

Breeding takes place between February and September and a female can rear three or four litters a year, each of two to four young. The young, known as leverets, are born fully furred with their eyes open and are left by the female in forms a few metres from their birth place. Once a day for the first four weeks of their lives, the leverets gather at sunset to be fed by the female, but otherwise they receive no parental care. This avoids attracting predators to the young at a stage when they are most vulnerable. Foxes are important predators of young hares and where foxes are common there are likely to be few hares. Many hares also die of disease each year.

 

CONSERVATION

 

Brown hares have little legal protection, partly because they are game animals and can be managed by farmers and landowners, and partly because they are also a minor pest and can damage crops and young tree plantations.

Numbers of hares have declined substantially since the beginning of this century, though they are still common animals in many parts of the country. The main reason for this decline seems to be a change in the way farms are run. Today's modern farms are intensive and specialised, either growing crops like wheat and oilseed rape, or raising livestock for meat and dairy produce. A hundred years ago most farms were mixed enterprises. Mixed farms have a patchwork quilt of fields which provide year-round grazing for hares as well as long crops for them to hide in. Modern cereal farms provide little or no food for hares in late summer and autumn, and livestock farms have few crops for them the hide in. Modern farm machinery and pesticides also kill many hares.

Another reason is that there now appear to be many more foxes in the countryside than there were a hundred years ago - this is probably because there are now fewer gamekeepers and fewer farmers who kept fox numbers down in the past.

Hare shooting still occurs in areas where hares are common and where farms want to reduce crop damage. Hare hunting with beagles and harriers used to occur throughout Britain, and hare coursing events were run by several coursing clubs, but these are now illegal (since Hunting Act 2002) in the UK; hare coursing, though strictly controlled, is still legal in Ireland. Hares are very often poached, particularly with lurchers cross-bred from collies and greyhounds.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is "March hare madness"?

This is part of hare breeding behaviour. The rapid chases are a dominant male driving a rival away from a female he is guarding. "Boxing" is usually a rebuff given by a female to an over-amorous male. It may actually occur at any time in the long breeding season, but is most visible in March (lighter evenings, but vegetation still low).

Do hares get myxomatosis?

No, the disease is confined to rabbits.

How can you tell hares from rabbits?

Differences include the large staring yellow eyes, reddish-brown grizzled fur and black tips to the ears of hares.

How many species of hare are there in Britain?

Two: the mountain, or blue hare Lepus timidus replaces the brown hare on high ground in the Peak District and in much of Scotland and throughout Ireland, from sea level to high altitudes.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

 

The Game Conservancy Trust's on-line fact-sheet. Please click here (link will open in a new window).

Harris, S. & Yalden, D.W. (2008) Mammals of the British Isles: Handbook (4th edn). The Mammal Society, Southampton.

McBride, A. (1989) Rabbits and Hares. Whittet Books, London.

Tapper, S. & Yalden, D. (2010) The Brown Hare. The Mammal Society, Southampton

hi

 

t England, Wales and Scotland. Although they have been more recently introduced to Northern Ireland, they have not spread far. They have also been introduced to the Isle of Man and Mainland Orkney. In Scotland brown hares are found on farmland and rough grazing to the far north of the mainland, but are absent from parts of the North West. Brown hares are replaced by mountain hares in upland areas of Scotland and central England.

Brown hares live in very exposed habitats, and they rely on acute senses and running at speeds of up to 70kph (45mph) to evade predators. Hares do not use burrows, but make a small depression in the ground among long grass - this is known as a form. They spend most of the day on or near the form, moving out to feed in the open at night. Though generally solitary, hares sometimes band into loose groups when feeding.

Breeding takes place between February and September and a female can rear three or four litters a year, each of two to four young. The young, known as leverets, are born fully furred with their eyes open and are left by the female in forms a few metres from their birth place. Once a day for the first four weeks of their lives, the leverets gather at sunset to be fed by the female, but otherwise they receive no parental care. This avoids attracting predators to the young at a stage when they are most vulnerable. Foxes are important predators of young hares and where foxes are common there are likely to be few hares. Many hares also die of disease each year.

 

CONSERVATION

 

Brown hares have little legal protection, partly because they are game animals and can be managed by farmers and landowners, and partly because they are also a minor pest and can damage crops and young tree plantations.

Numbers of hares have declined substantially since the beginning of this century, though they are still common animals in many parts of the country. The main reason for this decline seems to be a change in the way farms are run. Today's modern farms are intensive and specialised, either growing crops like wheat and oilseed rape, or raising livestock for meat and dairy produce. A hundred years ago most farms were mixed enterprises. Mixed farms have a patchwork quilt of fields which provide year-round grazing for hares as well as long crops for them to hide in. Modern cereal farms provide little or no food for hares in late summer and autumn, and livestock farms have few crops for them the hide in. Modern farm machinery and pesticides also kill many hares.

Another reason is that there now appear to be many more foxes in the countryside than there were a hundred years ago - this is probably because there are now fewer gamekeepers and fewer farmers who kept fox numbers down in the past.

Hare shooting still occurs in areas where hares are common and where farms want to reduce crop damage. Hare hunting with beagles and harriers used to occur throughout Britain, and hare coursing events were run by several coursing clubs, but these are now illegal (since Hunting Act 2002) in the UK; hare coursing, though strictly controlled, is still legal in Ireland. Hares are very often poached, particularly with lurchers cross-bred from collies and greyhounds.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is "March hare madness"?

This is part of hare breeding behaviour. The rapid chases are a dominant male driving a rival away from a female he is guarding. "Boxing" is usually a rebuff given by a female to an over-amorous male. It may actually occur at any time in the long breeding season, but is most visible in March (lighter evenings, but vegetation still low).

Do hares get myxomatosis?

No, the disease is confined to rabbits.

How can you tell hares from rabbits?

Differences include the large staring yellow eyes, reddish-brown grizzled fur and black tips to the ears of hares.

How many species of hare are there in Britain?

Two: the mountain, or blue hare Lepus timidus replaces the brown hare on high ground in the Peak District and in much of Scotland and throughout Ireland, from sea level to high altitudes.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

 

The Game Conservancy Trust's on-line fact-sheet. Please click here (link will open in a new window).

Harris, S. & Yalden, D.W. (2008) Mammals of the British Isles: Handbook (4th edn). The Mammal Society, Southampton.

McBride, A. (1989) Rabbits and Hares. Whittet Books, London.

Tapper, S. & Yalden, D. (2010) The Brown Hare. The Mammal Society, Southampton

hi

 

Never beleave every thing you read D.C.

[miroku moocher 140]

yeah paulus. i know what ya sayin. myxie rabbits seem to be alive with fleas. still never seen a tick on one though. maybe there is some truth in the article i read. it stands to reason rabbits abound in good sheep country [up here anyway], and yet i have never seen a tick on em.

[paulus 26]

yeah paulus. i know what ya sayin. myxie rabbits seem to be alive with fleas. still never seen a tick on one though. maybe there is some truth in the article i read. it stands to reason rabbits abound in good sheep country [up here anyway], and yet i have never seen a tick on em.

you wont see any on a dead one nor fleas as soon as the blood cools they abandon ship.