Irish Hare
St. Patrick's Day has become a global celebration of Irish culture that takes place annually on March 17. A great many Irish symbols are used in depictions to celebrate the day one of these being the Irish Hare, and we thought we would share some fun facts about this fantastic creature.
The Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is one of three lagomorphs found on the Island of Ireland and the only native lagomorph.
The Irish hare may be small and furry, but it has accomplished some pretty impressive feats — like surviving the most recent ice age. According to the Hare Preservation Trust, the species took refuge in an ice-free, tundra-like landscape in southern Ireland.
Their long back legs assist them in jumping to heights of around 2m, they also give them a distinctive 'walk' or lope and help them reach speeds of almost 50kph and, making them Northern Ireland's fastest land mammal.
Nowadays, the russet brown-colored hare can be found in regions with tall plants and rich vegetation, which provide food and shelter that protect them from predators.
plural noun: lagomorphs - “a mammal of the order Lagomorpha, which comprises the hares, rabbits, and pikas”
