{{Short description|Subspecies of mammal}} {{Use British English|date=March 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Subspeciesbox | image = Irish Mountain Hare imported from iNaturalist photo 322047161 on 22 April 2024.jpg | genus = Lepus | species = timidus | species_link = Mountain hare | subspecies = hibernicus | authority = Bell, 1837 }}
'''''Lepus timidus hibernicus''''', more commonly known as the '''Irish hare''', is a subspecies of the mountain hare (''Lepus timidus'') that is native to the island of Ireland. It is the only species of hare endemic to Ireland, and is known for its distinctive appearance and behaviour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Irish hare – The Vincent Wildlife Trust |url=https://www.vincentwildlife.ie/species/irish-hare |access-date=24 March 2024 |author=Karina Dingerkus |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Description and habitat == The Irish hare is similar in appearance to other mountain hare subspecies but tends to have a slightly darker coat, especially during the winter months. It has long hind legs, large ears, and a white underside. The coat coloration can vary from brown to grey, with white fur on the belly.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Lepus timidus hibernicus'' Irish Hare :: Northern Ireland's Priority Species :: |url=https://www.habitas.org.uk/priority/species.asp?item=42516 |access-date=24 March 2024 |website=www.habitas.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Species Profile Browser · Species Profile |url=https://species.biodiversityireland.ie/profile.php?taxonId=119309 |access-date=24 March 2024 |website=species.biodiversityireland.ie}}</ref>
They are typically found in upland and lowland habitats across Ireland, including grasslands, heathlands, and agricultural areas. They prefer open areas with plenty of vegetation for cover and food.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ball |first1=Samantha |last2=Kelly |first2=Thomas C. |last3=Butler |first3=Fidelma |date=December 2020 |title=Endoparasites of the endemic Irish hare ''Lepus timidus hibernicus'' |journal=Wildlife Biology |language=en |volume=2020 |issue=3 |pages=1–5 |doi=10.2981/wlb.00717 |issn=1903-220X |doi-access=free|bibcode=2020WildB202000717B }}</ref>
They are listed as a protected species under the Games Acts and Schedule 6 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conservation ecology of the Irish hare (''Lepus timidus hibernicus'') |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233813390}}</ref> It is also listed on Appendix III of the Berne Convention (Anon, 1979)<ref name="Bern">Council of Europe, 1979. Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Heritage. Bern, Switzerland. Available at: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/104.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926142001/http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/104.htm |date=26 September 2015 }}</ref> and Annex V(a) of the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31992L0043:EN:HTML |title=Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 |publisher=Eur-lex.europa.eu |access-date=15 March 2010}}</ref> == Threats == Agricultural intensification, illegal poaching, and introduced diseases currently represent the most significant threats to the hares. Their numbers have been in decline since the early 20th century, coinciding with changes in land management practices, but may have stabilised at relatively low levels since the 21st century.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=McGowan |first1=Natasha E. |url=https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/national-hare-survey-amp-population-assessment-2017-19 |title=National hare survey & population assessment 2017-2019 |last2=McDermott |first2=Neal |last3=Stone |first3=Richard |last4=Lysaght |first4=Liam |last5=Dingerkus |first5=S. Karina |last6=Caravaggi |first6=Anthony |last7=Kerr |first7=Ian |last8=Reid |first8=Neil |date=17 December 2019 |publisher=National Parks & Wildlife Service |series=Irish Wildlife Manuals}}</ref>
The Irish Hare faces competition for resources from the invasive European Brown Hare, whose range is likely to further expand in response to future climate change. Hybridisation with this species is also a threat, as are introduced diseases to which the Irish Hare is naïve, particularly RHDV2.<ref name=":0" />
== References == {{reflist}}
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timidus hibernicus Category:Mammals described in 1837 Category:Fauna of Ireland Category:Habitats Directive species