Canadian beaver vs European hare

Castor canadensis compared with Lepus europaeus

Key Differences

• Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated while European hare is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Canadian beaver	European hare
Kingdom same	Animalia (حيوانات)	Animalia (حيوانات)
Phylum same	Chordata (حبليات)	Chordata (حبليات)
Class same	Mammalia (ثدييات)	Mammalia (ثدييات)
Order	Rodentia (قوارض)	Lagomorpha (أرنبيات الشكل)
Family	Castoridae (Beavers)	Leporidae (Rabbits & Hares)
Genus	Castor (Beavers)	Lepus
Species	Castor canadensis	Lepus europaeus

Evolutionary Relationship

Canadian beaver and European hare share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (ثدييات)

Conservation Status

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

European hare

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Canadian beaver	European hare
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	15 years	—
Average Length	1.0 m	—
Average Weight	25.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Canadian beaver

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (15 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Argentina, Chile).

European hare

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical coniferous forests, among 7 distinct biome types within the Neotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (10 countries), North America (4 countries), and South America (8 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Canadian beaver

The largest rodent in North America, Canadian beavers weigh up to 32 kg and are master ecosystem engineers inhabiting rivers, lakes, and wetlands across Canada and the northern United States. By felling trees and constructing dams up to hundreds of meters long, beavers create ponds that provide habitat for hundreds of species. Their lodges and canals transform entire watersheds. Once nearly hunted to extinction for their fur, beaver populations have recovered strongly.

European hare

European hare (Lepus europaeus) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 8 countries:

🇦🇷 Argentina 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇨🇱 Chile 🇫🇷 France 🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States