ON THE PLOT
Know your wildlife: rabbits vs hares
I
f it hops like a bunny, has
long bunny-ears and a
bushy bunny tail it must
be a bunny, right? Not
necessarily. It could be a hare.
You may think you know, but
chances are you're actually
unclear as to the difference
between a rabbit and a hare.
Interestingly, even though
many think that these
creatures look the same, in
fact they belong to absolutely
different species. It may
sound improbable but the
rabbit and the hare have
more differences than
similarities: they are born
differently, they behaviour
and style of life are totally
different and they even prefer
different food.
The difference between
rabbits and hares appears at
the moment they are born.
kitten is in the nest, the
mother is careful enough to
wrap it with more hair and
leaves to keep the young one
warm and comfortable.
Hares, however, are born
fully furred, able to see and
capable of independent
movement.
Hares are bigger than rabbits.
They are swifter than rabbits,
too. The hares have longer
Continued on page 33
BEEKEEPING
From page 30
Scrub hare
First of all, baby rabbits are
called kittens, while baby
hares are called leverets.
Rabbits are born completely
helpless, naked and blind.
The mother gives birth to the
young ones in a nest that has
been carefully constructed
with grass, tender stems and
tree bark. Over this soft
cushion, the mother spreads
a layer of fur that she takes
from her skin. Once the
beekeeper, therefore, is to
provide a stand for the hive at
least 200mm off the ground.
This stops toads and mice
and prevents flooding of the
entrances. Throw well burnt
coal ash around and under
the stand and some good
handfuls of rock salt to take
care of the ants.
A pellet gun takes care of the
birds!
Next on the list is the weeds
that grow around the hive
and must be dealt with in the
early summer months. A
regular visit to the apiary with
a sprayer and weed killer
sorts this problem out.
Well managed strong swarms
31
www.sasmallholder.co.za
will reward the beekeeper
with at least 25 kg of honey
over the season ~ a worthwhile crop for all the hard
work.
Article by Peter Clark,
chairman, Eastern Highveld
Beekeeper’s Association, tel
011 362-2904 and secretary
Mike Alter tel 011 965-6040