Japanese Hare vs large tortoiseshell

Lepus brachyurus compared with Nymphalis polychloros

Key Differences

• Japanese Hare is Least Concern while large tortoiseshell is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Japanese Hare	large tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Lagomorpha (Rabbits & Hares)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Leporidae (Rabbits & Hares)	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Lepus	Nymphalis
Species	Lepus brachyurus	Nymphalis polychloros

Evolutionary Relationship

Japanese Hare and large tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Japanese Hare

LC — Least Concern

large tortoiseshell

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Japanese Hare	large tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Japanese Hare

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

large tortoiseshell

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 9 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found across Europe (39 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

large tortoiseshell

large tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild due to severe population decline and habitat loss.