Discovering Wild Hares in Taiwan
In Taiwan, the lack of scholars or experts specializing in wild hares has made detailed records and practical care experiences exceptionally rare. As a result, volunteers involved in wild hare rescue projects often have to rely on trial-and-error methods, working with limited resources and fragmented information.
Through the implementation of the Wild Hare Rescue Base Project, the Wild Hare Team of the Taiwan Rabbit Society has conducted hands-on observations that revealed many findings not recorded in prior literature. Some discoveries contradicted earlier accounts, while others unveiled entirely new behaviors unique to Taiwan's wild hares.
These new insights not only deepen the understanding of the species' ecological habits but also contribute valuable knowledge for the advancement of future rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Population Distribution of the Taiwanese Hare
The Taiwanese hare (Lepus sinensis formosus) is a native species found across various regions of Taiwan. Its population is unevenly distributed across the island, with certain areas showing higher concentrations due to habitat suitability and human impact.
Greater Taipei Region
Populations are centered around the Cuicui Valley area of Yangmingshan. The species is distributed in a circular pattern along the Taipei Basin, extending northward to the Shimen Mountain area, with some individuals reaching as far as Yilan.
Hsinchu Region
Hares inhabit areas around Guanxi and Hengshan, particularly along mountain highways and rural industrial roads, where roadkill incidents are relatively high.
Taichung Region
From Heping District, the hare population stretches along the Central Cross-Island Highway into Nantou. Small groups are also found within the Taichung Metropolitan Park.
Chiayi and Tainan Regions
Individuals are frequently reported along the foothills bordering National Freeway No. 3, between Baihe and Guantian. These shallow mountain zones experience many roadkill cases. The hares also appear in agricultural areas, especially along the tea plantations on the Alishan Highway, where local farmers often find them.
Pingtung Region
Populations extend from the coastal hills and farmlands of Checheng southward to the Shading area of Kenting.
Hualien and Taitung Regions
The species inhabits the low hills and farmland along the East Rift Valley, with higher report numbers in Guanshan, Chishang, and Yuli areas.
Pregnancy Cycle of Wild Hares
The pregnancy period of wild hares typically lasts about 45 to 50 days, which is noticeably longer than the average 30-day gestation of domestic rabbits. According to reports from rabbit welfare associations and online observational records, young hares are most often found during the spring and autumn seasons.
Unlike domestic rabbits, which tend to mate almost immediately after encountering one another, wild hares appear to follow a certain mating rhythm or reproductive cycle. The exact frequency of this cycle is still under observation and study by rabbit welfare associations.
Due to environmental pressures and survival challenges, each litter typically consists of only one or two leverets — much fewer than the four to eight kits commonly born to domestic rabbits.
The Alarm Call of the Taiwanese Hare
When a Taiwanese hare feels alert or nervous, it produces a distinctive sound that resembles the human tongue-clicking noise—like "tak, tak, tak." Remarkably, this call appears even when the hare is still very young.
This unique sound had never been formally documented or mentioned in scientific literature before. However, through long-term care and observation by members of the Hare Base Team, researchers have confirmed and recorded this sound in hares of all ages—from juveniles and subadults to fully grown adults.
Although the "tak, tak, tak" sound is relatively quiet, it is loud enough for other hares to notice, thanks to their extremely sensitive hearing. For humans, this sound is virtually impossible to detect in the wild. Yet, under the attentive observation and recording by the Hare Base Team, this extraordinary vocal signal of the Taiwanese hare has finally been clearly heard and documented.
Warning Pounce of the Formosan Hare
Understanding a subtle defensive behavior in Taiwan's wild hares
When frightened, the Formosan hare relies on its speed and agility, using rapid sprints or sudden leaps to escape from danger. However, if the hare determines that its life is not in immediate danger—such as when confronted by a non-predator or by a human familiar to it—it may first test the intruder with a swift forward pawing motion, known as a "warning pounce."
This gesture serves as a form of intimidation or a cautious probe to gauge the threat's intent. In contrast, domesticated rabbits display a different response by thumping their hind legs on the ground to warn others.
The wild hare's warning pounce is often accompanied by a distinctive repetitive sound—described as a sharp "da, da, da"—used to signal unease or to deter further approach.
The Wild Rabbit's Frenzied Leaps
When startled, wild rabbits react with incredible bursts of speed, often combining frantic sprints with erratic jumps and collisions. Their movements are so sudden that they sometimes crash into hard objects during their escape.
By the time they are only two to three weeks old, young hares can already leap vertically up to 80 centimeters. Unfortunately, many baby hares taken home as pets are injured or even die because of their extreme jumping behavior and their instinctive need to flee.
After a month, their power increases even more—juvenile hares can easily clear distances of more than one meter. However, all rabbits share a blind spot directly in front of their eyes. This limited forward vision sometimes causes them to collide head-on with trees, rocks, or other solid obstacles, which can lead to serious injury or death.
The well-known Chinese idiom "Guarding the Tree Stump, Waiting for a Rabbit" comes directly from this natural behavior. It refers to a person waiting idly for fortune by chance, just as a farmer once caught a rabbit that ran headlong into a tree.
Possible Two Major Populations of Wild Hares in Taiwan
According to records from the Rabbit Lovers Association, volunteers have observed that wild hares in different regions show two distinct appearances during their juvenile stage. Some display a white stripe on their foreheads, while others lack it entirely.
The white spot on the forehead tends to fade or become less visible after about one month. Because such visible differences are evident in appearance, researchers speculate that there may be two major populations of wild hares in Taiwan.
Whether these groups represent only subspecies of the Chinese hare (Lepus sinensis) or whether a separate branch has begun to evolve into a unique endemic species remains uncertain. Further research and statistical analysis are required to clarify this.
Wild Hares vs. Pet Rabbits at Birth
From the moment they are born, wild hares are completely different from pet rabbits. Unlike domestic rabbits, baby hares come into the world fully covered in fur. Within a short time after birth, they open their eyes and begin to leave their nests to explore their surroundings.
In contrast, newborn pet rabbits are born hairless and helpless. Their eyes remain closed for about a week after birth, and they rely entirely on their mother's care during this early stage. These fundamental differences highlight how hares are adapted for a more independent life from the very start, while rabbits depend on protection and nurturing within their burrows.
Taiwanese Hare: Masters of Natural Camouflage
Unlike domestic rabbits (which are burrowing European rabbits), the Taiwanese hare does not have the instinct to dig holes. Instead, it relies on its remarkable ability to blend seamlessly with its surroundings.
During daylight hours, wild hares often remain completely still for extended periods, using this motionless camouflage to avoid predators. They instinctively utilize natural materials—such as twigs, fallen leaves, and dry grass—in matching colors to cover themselves and mimic their environment.
Their movements are most noticeable in the early morning, around dusk, and at night when they venture out to forage and explore.
The Spiky Illusion of the Formosan Hare's Fur
The fur of the Formosan hare gives a striking visual impression of being covered in stiff, needle-like bristles. However, this is merely an illusion created by the natural variation of colors and shading within its fur. Through this layering of tones, the hare appears to have a rough, spiky coat.
This optical effect may serve as a form of protective disguise, making the hare look unappetizing or uncomfortable to swallow—potentially deterring predators. In reality, the texture of its fur is not prickly at all.
While its coat does feel somewhat coarser than that of a domestic rabbit, it remains relatively soft to the touch, striking a balance between rugged wildness and unexpected gentleness.
Why Wild Rabbit Mothers Stand While Nursing
Wild rabbit mothers often nurse their young while standing up — a posture that might seem unusual at first. Unlike many other animals that lie down to feed their offspring, a mother rabbit typically remains on her feet.
This upright position serves a practical purpose. Nursing sessions in rabbits are very brief, usually lasting only a few minutes, and standing allows the mother to stay alert to her surroundings. By remaining upright, she can quickly detect and react to potential threats, keeping both herself and her babies safe.
This behavior reflects the natural caution of wild rabbits, whose survival depends on constant vigilance — even during the tender moments of motherhood.
Weight Changes in Baby Hares
The study tracked the weight changes of baby hares and revealed distinct growth trends. The orange line represents Hare No. 12, which was fully nourished by its mother's milk. As a result, it showed the most significant and rapid weight gain, quickly surpassing 600 grams.
In contrast, the blue line represents Hare No. 8, which was fed only with formula. Its weight increased at the slowest rate among all observed hares.
The data suggests that reaching the 200-gram mark is a critical turning point in their growth. After crossing this threshold, the hares' weight began to rise noticeably faster.
Sadly, two baby hares—No. 14 and Formosa—did not survive to pass this growth milestone.
Taiwan's Wild Hares: Nature's Cautious Sprinters
Newborn wild hares quickly develop their ability to crawl and move around shortly after birth. Sometimes, in moments of fright, they may dash away in panic and even injure themselves by bumping into obstacles.
At about one month old, a Taiwanese hare is already so swift and agile that it's nearly impossible for a person to catch one by hand. Even when raised under careful, daily care by volunteers who feed and watch over them, hares remain extremely alert and sensitive to their surroundings.
Interestingly, young hares from different regions can show slight variations in the markings on their foreheads — a trait that only appears during their juvenile stage. From birth, wild hares are already covered in fur, and they can open their eyes and walk soon afterward.
These animals are very resourceful when building nests, using materials from their surroundings to form secure and hidden shelters in stable corners of their habitat. Their activity levels also differ dramatically between day and night, showing distinct patterns of behavior.
One curious fact: mother hares usually nurse their young while standing, a behavior not commonly seen in many other mammals.
Observations from the Wild Hare Rescue Project
Volunteers from the Taiwan Rabbit Association have dedicated significant effort to caring for and rehabilitating wild hares found injured or displaced in natural environments. Through their careful observation and experience, they have gathered valuable data that contributes to both wildlife conservation and better understanding of the local ecosystem.
These field notes not only support rescue efforts but also shed light on behavioral patterns, recovery challenges, and the medical needs of native hare species. The insights are shared to promote more humane and informed wildlife care practices.
The above information consists of important observations made by volunteers of the Taiwan Rabbit Association during the Wild Hare Rescue Project. When citing or reproducing this content, please ensure the full text is reproduced and the source is properly credited. Do not add or edit any wording to avoid altering the original meaning.
