rabbit, any of 29 species of long-eared mammals belonging to the family Leporidae,

rabbit, any of 29 species of long-eared mammals belonging to the family Leporidae, excluding hares (genus Lepus).
cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus)
cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus)

Frequently the terms rabbit and hare are used interchangeably, a practice that can cause confusion. Jackrabbits, for instance, are actually hares, whereas the rockhares and the hispid hare are rabbits. Rabbits differ from hares in size, life history, and preferred habitat. In general, rabbits are smaller and have shorter ears than hares. They are born without fur and with closed eyes after a gestation period of 30–31 days. They prefer habitats composed of trees and shrubs, where they live in burrows dug into the soil. Hares, in contrast, are larger in size, and they are born fully developed with fur and open eyes after a gestation period lasting about 42 days. They prefer open areas such as prairies, where they make their nests in small open depressions.
Explore the key differences between rabbits and hares
Explore the key differences between rabbits and hares
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