The brown hare is Britain's most personally affecting mammal — the animal that stops country walks cold, that makes people grab the shoulder of whoever is standing next to them, that appears in a field and makes the whole walk worthwhile. The hare's combination of speed, alertness, the long golden-tipped ears, and the extraordinary March boxing behaviour makes it one of the most distinctive and beloved British wildlife subjects there is.
And yet the hare is declining. UK brown hare numbers have fallen by around 80% since the beginning of the twentieth century — from an estimated 4 million to under 800,000. Intensification of agriculture, loss of mixed farming, and game management pressures have all contributed. For countryside walkers who remember when hares were common in every open field, this loss is personal. A hare print is, among other things, a statement of what matters.
Hare Art Prints at Wild Thread
Wild Thread hare illustrations capture the specific character of the brown hare: the long black-tipped ears, the golden-ochre-buff fur, the startled golden eye, the folded-back posture of a hare in form (its shallow resting depression in the ground), the upright alert posture when watching a potential threat. These are illustrations drawn with real knowledge of the animal — not generic rabbit-shaped substitutes, but proper hares.
Framed Hare Prints
A framed hare print is one of Wild Thread's most consistently popular products. Available in A4, A3, and A2, with natural wood or black frames. The warm buff-ochre of the hare palette suits natural wood frames particularly well, and a framed hare print works in almost any home interior — kitchen, study, bedroom, living room, hallway.
Canvas Hare Prints
A canvas hare print — particularly a large A2-plus canvas of a hare in an open field or against a minimal background — makes a striking living room or hallway statement piece. The canvas texture complements the earthy hare palette well.
Hare Mugs
A hare mug is one of the most reliably popular wildlife mug formats at Wild Thread — the species has an enormous number of passionate admirers, and a properly illustrated brown hare mug connects to the specific countryside moments that define the country-walking experience for many people. Dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, used every day.
Hare Tote Bags
A hare canvas tote bag — a bold, confident hare illustration on heavyweight cotton — is a practical and personal gift for countryside walkers, farmers' market visitors, and hare enthusiasts who want the species they love on a daily-use item.
Hare Gifts for Country Living Enthusiasts
The hare is the animal most strongly associated with the British countryside. A hare print is the ideal gift for:
- Countryside walkers who regularly see (or hope to see) hares in open farmland
- People who have had a memorable hare encounter — the animal that made the walk
- Those who care about British wildlife conservation and the countryside's declining species
- Anyone with a particular affection for the March hare tradition and folklore
Hare Conservation in the UK
The brown hare is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species. It has no close season in England (unlike game birds), making it vulnerable to disturbance and hunting. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining mixed farming, leaving field margins unploughed, and providing cover. The Mountain Hare — the high-altitude species of Scotland and the Peak District — faces additional pressure from driven grouse moor management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a hare and a rabbit?
Brown hares are significantly larger than rabbits (50–70cm body length vs 34–45cm), with much longer black-tipped ears, longer hind legs, and golden-ochre fur. Hares live above ground in forms (shallow depressions), while rabbits live in burrows. Hares are born fully furred with open eyes (leverets); rabbit kittens are born blind and hairless. The hare's running style — the powerful jinking sprint — is also quite different from a rabbit's.
Why is the March hare famous?
The March Hare is famous primarily through Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865), where it appears at the Mad Hatter's tea party. The "mad as a March hare" expression predates Carroll by centuries, referring to the boxing behaviour of brown hares in late winter and spring (February–April), when they can be seen standing on their hind legs and sparring in open fields.
What are the best hare gifts in the UK?
Hare art prints (framed A3 or A2, canvas) and hare mugs are consistently the most appreciated hare gifts. A properly illustrated brown hare print — capturing the specific character of the animal rather than a generic long-eared creature — is the most resonant choice for a serious hare enthusiast or countryside lover.
Are Wild Thread hare prints UK-made?
Yes. All Wild Thread products are produced in the UK on demand and dispatched within 1–3 working days, arriving within 3–5 working days across the whole of the UK.