BBC Wildlife - UK 2020-07)

A

mongBritishmammals,if
we’retalkingaboutquality
timewithoffspring,thebrownhare
hastobeupthereasoneofthe
worstoffenders.Thoughwetendto
thinkof‘madMarch’hares(females
boxingunwantedadvancesfrom
males),thesemammalsbreedany
timefromDecembertoSeptember.
Uptofourleveretsarebornafter
a gestationofabout 42 days.
Almostassoonastheyoungsters
arrive,theirmotherabandons

them.Theirdaysarespentalone,

lyingmotionlessinvegetation.As

nightfalls,theleveretsregroupto

awaita visitfromthefemale,who

returnstosucklethemforjusta

fewbriefminutes.Aftera month

ofherhands-offparenting,the

youngharesareweanedandleftto

fendforthemselves.Butwhilethis

parentingstylemayseemlacking,

theminimalcontacthelpsprevent

predatorssuchasfoxestrackingthe

leveretsdown.LaurieJackson

Which mammals are

the worst parents?

BEHAVIOUR

Hare today, gone

tomorrow: taking a

hands-o approach

to parenting.