They have long ears and long legs and have a long, lolloping gait.

Brown hares are shy creatures but can often be seen in the meadows, particularly at the head of the dale.  They regularly travel across the road from one field to another.  A good time to see them late evening.  Stand very still and they will come close, almost across your feet!  Although hares have incredibily sensitive hearing they have very poor eyesight.

Their young are called leverets and are born in an open nest above ground (unlike rabbits that are born in a burrow underground). They are born fully furred with sight and movement enabling them to be independent within the first few hours of life.  In many areas of the country they are in decline but in upper Swaledale they are doing well.