Hares. Their biological features. What is the maximum speed of a hare?
In nature there are many record-runners. Everyone knows that the fastest animal in the world is a cheetah. Further, with a small gap in speed go gazelle, antelope, dog hound breed, horse, zebra and hare. About the last sprinter and will be discussed in the article, which will tell you what the maximum speed of the hare and how it helps it survive among predators.
Features of hares
Zoology distinguishes several species and subspeciesthese animals. On the planet live a hare-bushman, bristly, African, climbing (or Japanese woody, which is on the verge of extinction), tailless and black-tailed and even more than a dozen species. Do not forget, of course, and our Russian rabbits - a hare, a white horse.
Species differ in color, habitat, gastronomic habits, even the composition of blood. Common to all rabbits:
- the structure of the jaw, allowing fractional grind and solid vegetable food (branches, bark of trees);
- teeth are grinding and growing throughout life;
- acute hearing and vision, especially well developed sense of smell;
- presence of special odorous glands for detection by relatives;
- excellent fitness for the run (the maximum speed of the hare can reach 60 km / h);
- terrestrial animals, poorly climb and swim;
- great fecundity (in the year the female leads up to 4 broods of 5-10 toddlers each).
Quick-footed animals
All hares are excellent sprinters. The amazing ability to run so fast in these small animals is developed due to the special development of the musculoskeletal system. The hind legs are long and muscular, which allows you to make huge jumps 3-4 meters in length. The hind legs are also much longer than the forelegs. This feature makes it possible to immediately develop a huge speed from the spot. The maximum speed of the hare is already 5 seconds (!) Running reaches 50 km / h.
Also, the structure of the feet contributes to the high speed. Narrow and long, they provide good adhesion to the earth's surface and help to effectively repel when jumping.
Another curious fact. In hares, the right and left extremities are not developed symmetrically. This is the reason that in the running the hare does not move in a straight line, but winds. This ability, given to him by mother nature, increases the chances of escaping from a predator.
The fixed maximum speed of the hare on leaving the danger was 75 km / h! This is a rabbit hare, which among its relatives is the fastest-toothed.
How did scientists study the maximum speed of the hare
Zoologists, studying the life of animals, great attentiongive their habits, group behavior and response to danger. The main methods of such study are observation, ambushes, photographing, video shooting. Also catching animals, on which special sensors are put on, is carried out. They fix the movement, speed, even the physiological reactions of the body to stress and danger.
It was with the help of such a sensor and wasfixed the maximum speed of the hare. Photo of a haremaker, running from danger with all his might, is very difficult to do. However, with the help of the newest cameras, recording time and shooting 10 frames per second, it was possible to record a record speed of a hare - 75 km / h.
