Fig 1
Typical track of a hare, from start (upper right) to rest (lower right).

We had a discussion about animal models in research and the art and ethics of reproduction some years ago (1, 2). I feel, that it is timely to analyze the behavior of another popular animal, the forest hare of the north part of Sweden. The Figure 1 depicts a typical track of such a hare, from one resting place (start) to next rest. It is obvious that the pattern of movement provides both advantages (chances) and disadvantages (risks).

The restricted territory of the hare minimized his exposition for sharp noses and keen eyes. Furthermore, it saved energy. The hare had the habit of circus movement. He left the loop with a side jump (drop-out), intended to let a possible tracker re-circulate alone. All drop-outs from loop or track were preceded by back-ward movement. The track and the loops were the same but the resting place was new; the hare never rested at the same place twice for some days or weeks.

Beside many footed or winged predators, man and hound provided main enemies. Sometimes, hound was missing due to pregnancy, breast-feeding, or poverty (cf 3). Then boys of the family, usually 10-15 years of age, were recruited. Ture Berg (4) is one witness of mine; he put 10-20 hares to the pot in his pre-rifle period. The trick was slow motion – the faster the hunt, the wider the loop.

Generally, the hare was not stressed by the hunting. He held a distance of respect to hound or boy and grazed while they caught up. Exceptional hounds were able to catch and kill the hare. Such skill was not rewarded by the marksmen, who were prone to kill the dog, too. Exceptional hares were able to manhandle hounds; the physical wounds of the hound were negligible, the sores of soul life-lasting.

In spite of its obvious advantages, the track often turned out the bane of the hare. Many hunters were familiar with his tricks. Marksmen and snares lined his track. The survivors became subtle. The grounds of previous forest fire provided a favorite flight – old ashes in the nose of a dog meant salvation. Roads, waters and ices also provided paths of rescue, not to mention wet thickets.

Thus, the life and death of the hare provided a model of human life (Eccl. 9:11):

"The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favour to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all."

Mats Hägglöf
E-mail: mats.hagglof@hotmail.com

1. Hägglöf M. Capercaillie courting – an animal model of life [culture]. Rondel 2002; 13. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/culture08_eng.htm
2. Norberg B. Eros and Agape [health]. Rondel 2002; 13. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/health08_eng.htm
3. Norberg B. Bernhard Nordh and body language [health]. Rondel 2002; 13. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/health13_eng.htm
4. Norberg B.. Swedish health care and the patient – views of a wife. [health]. Rondel 2004; 18. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/health18_eng.htm

Published December 31, 2004