Playing and aggressive behavior of the European hare (Lepus europaeus) against dogs (Canis familiaris)

Abstract

The aggressive and playing behavioral relationships between the European hare and dogs are described here. In all cases, hares demonstrated provocative behavior — they provoked the dogs to chase them, and, seeing the dogs’ fear and hesitancy, even attacked them, biting and hitting them with their forepaws. In the last case, two hares simultaneously were doing such. Specific behavioral reactions in some individuals of the European hare during contact with dogs suggest that hares react to their historically new predator differently than to their ancient natural enemies — wolves and foxes.

Keywords

• interspecific interactions
• aggressive behavior
• playing behavior