EUROPEAN HARES SELECT RESTING PLACES FOR PROVIDING COVER

摘要: European hares (Lepus europaeus) are thought to select resting places pro- viding cover, protect themselves against predators and unfavourable weather conditions. We tested this hypothesis by flushing wild from their assessing the cover at hare forms. The vegetation was generally found be higher than 30 cm, i.e. approximate height of a hare. As compared randomly chosen control points, showed preference for through- out year. From April August, all investigated habitat categories, but most often field habitats were used places, during season, providing above cm in categories. September March, however, rest- ing mostly forests or areas between fields, whereas open fields with little no avoided as sites. Furthermore, we that flight distances depended on value lower dense vegetation, suggesting valued better protection predators. suggest loss agricultural landscapes has reduced availability likely contributed population decline in- tensely landscapes.