MAD FOR IT!

WHY WE SEE HARES BOXING IN MARCH

- AMY SHAKESHAFT The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester, North Merseyside

THE phrase 'mad as a march hare' has been a common idiom in the British language for hundreds of years.

Brown hares are our fastest land mammal, reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour! But do you know why hares are considered mad? And why is it only the month of March that this madness occurs? Right now, hares are in the midst of their mating season, and part of their courtship ritual is a fierce boxing match.

Yes, rearing up on powerful back legs and rapidly scrapping until the fur flies is how brown hares communicate their willingness, or otherwise, to mate.

It's a common misconception that hares seen boxing are two males, contesting for resources or females.