What Makes A Hare So Fast For Its Size ?

[thefensarefarbutistillgo 2,481]

It's always baffled me how hares are so fast considering there size, you would never get a dog, say a terrier, that's the same size as a hare to be as fast as a hare, why is this, any theories ? I've always thought if you had a dog the same size as a hare and as fast it would catch a hell of a lot because its on the same level as the hare and wouldn't have to get down to the hare to pick it up, which can be the difficult bit for a dog to make a catch, anyway how are hares so fast for there size ?

[baw 4,360]

I think the shape of them, all power in big back legs might have something to do with it lol. I think more remarkable is the speed of rabbits

[desertbred 5,490]

its the back legs look at the kangaroo, and dragsters the back wheels are always bigger than the front now if you could breed a running dog with long back legs and small wheels on the front could revolutionise the coursing game

[thefensarefarbutistillgo 2,481]

 

I think the shape of them, all power in big back legs might have something to do with it lol. I think more remarkable is the speed of rabbits

rabbits got great off the mark speed and would beat hare from standing start in 20 yard dash

[lurcher2020 285]

It's got a big heart for the size of it pumps blood more efficiently and as said the back legs have a lot of power

[lurcher2020 285]

It's got a big heart for the size of it pumps blood more efficiently and as said the back legs have a lot of power

[skycat 6,173]

Massive heart compared to heart size in other mammals of similar size equals more blood pumping round to oxygenate muscles to keep the hare running for longer and faster, though a rabbit over a short distance is probably as fast or faster than a hare: rabbits just can't sustain speed for very long though. Tiny hearts in comparison to a hare. Rabbits are white meat, so show that they don't have the same quantity of blood pumping through their veins; equals less stamina.

Spring loaded hind legs help as well in both rabbit and hare: bit like if you strapped on those powerisers/jumping stilts.

 

I've just found this on youtube: good explanation:

[thefensarefarbutistillgo 2,481]

 

its the back legs look at the kangaroo, and dragsters the back wheels are always bigger than the front now if you could breed a running dog with long back legs and small wheels on the front could revolutionise the coursing game

lol yea I think it's the shape of the back legs aswell which are mostly folded up underneath it not nearly straight like a dogs legs, someone told me a proper saluki is suppose to dip slightly on the front end so the back bigger than the front like a hare

[low plains drifter 10,290]

The hares vital organs are out of proportion to an animal of it's size,I've always likened it to a human with the heart and lungs of a race horse

[foresterj 1,096]

Evoloution and physiology, and a dog to keep em fit

[desertbred 5,490]

it is something todo with the length of the back and suppleness of the spine plus as with the hare the salukis heart is larger than other dogs its like a aero dynamic engineer has designed them to get maximum thrust with least air resistance so doesnt result in loss of power just one things hairy ears must cause drag or do they act as aero foils to get the front legs on the ground quicker? Baw might know

[BIG G wheton machine 1,594]

they must also have a way in their bodies to disperse lactic acid whilst running or something that delays it building up in the muscles as fast

[Paid 935]

millions of years of being tasty.

[scroat 62]

when you finish eating 1 look at the bones .you can near see through them.

[desertbred 5,490]

they must also have a way in their bodies to disperse lactic acid whilst running or something that delays it building up in the muscles as fast

the size of the heart it pumps blood round faster reoxygenating it that is how thebuild up lactic acid in the muscles is slowed down that is part of the athletes training regime to build up the heart muscle to circulate the blood better