Rabbits and Hares
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of around 90 rabbit and hare specimens. These date from 1958 to 2007.
This collection contains about 40 European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and 50 hares. Among the rabbit specimens, there are 15 mounted specimens, 13 skins, 11 skulls or skeletons and one foetus preserved in spirit. Among the hare specimens there are 13 mounted specimens, 22 skins, 7 skulls or skeletons and two specimens preserved in spirit. The rabbits with data are all from southern and central Scotland. The hares with data are all from Scotland, except for two specimens from Ireland. Of the Scottish hares, most are from southern and central Scotland, although there are also examples from Aberdeenshire and Orkney. Interesting specimens include a hybrid of a wild and pet rabbit, a specimen of brown hare Siamese twins (one head with two bodies, preserved in spirit) and a hare heart in spirit. There are also two examples of the ‘horned hare’ or ‘jackalope’. This is a fabricated animal, produced by taxidermists by adding the antlers of a deer to a hare.
About rabbits and hares
Rabbits and hares belong to the family Leporidae, and together with the pikas (Ochotonidae) make up the order Lagomorpha. While mountain hares are native to Britain, brown hares were probably introduced to Britain by the Romans and rabbits were introduced by the Normans. The brown hare is listed as a Local Biodiversity Action Plan species in several areas of Scotland and is a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. - Broader term
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