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The myth of the mad March hare

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Abstract

From literature1, proverb2 and scientific publications3–6, two aspects of the behaviour of the brown hare, Lepus capensis, are well known. First, they ‘go mad’ in March. Second, boxing is their most spectacular form of male–male competition for mates. Here we show that ‘madness’ is no more a feature of March than of the other months of their long breeding season, and that boxing does not represent intrasexual competition but an interaction between the sexes whereby a female attempts to prevent a male from mating. Finally, we discuss why misleading statements about hare behaviour have remained unchallenged for centuries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ferndale, Wick Lane, Brent Knoll, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4BU, UK

    Anthony J. F. Holley

  2. Department of Adult and Continuing Education, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3JB, UK

    Paul J. Greenwood

Authors
  1. Anthony J. F. Holley
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  2. Paul J. Greenwood
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Holley, A., Greenwood, P. The myth of the mad March hare. Nature 309, 549–550 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/309549a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/309549a0

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