Hares are built for speed. They have very long back legs that work like springs, and a lighter body than a rabbit. When a hare is chased, it doesn't run in a straight line - it does sharp zig-zags to confuse the animal chasing it. A hare can change direction at full speed, almost as if it has brakes.
Their huge ears are not just for hearing. Hares also use them to keep cool. On a hot day, blood travels through tiny tubes in their long ears, and the air cools the blood down before it goes back into the body. The ears work like a built-in cooling system.
Unlike rabbits, hares do not dig burrows. They live above ground in shallow scoops they press into long grass, called 'forms'. Baby hares are called leverets and are born ready - already covered in fur, with their eyes open, and able to hop within hours.
In spring, you might spot two hares standing up on their back legs and 'boxing' each other in a field. People used to think this was two males fighting. Scientists later worked out it is usually a female telling a too-keen male she is not interested by giving him a good shove.

