Largest living lagomorph

The world's largest living lagomorph is the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus), which inhabits open fields and grasslands with scattered brush in Great Britain and much of continental Europe as well as in the northern portions of central and western Asia. Its head and body length is 60–75 cm (1 ft 11 in–2 ft 5 in), its tail length is 7.2–11 cm (2.8–4.3 in), and it typically weights between 3 and 5 kg (6 lb 10 oz and 11 lb).

A close rival for the brown hare's status as the largest living lagomorph is the Arctic hare (L. arcticus). Its head and body length is 45–70 cm (1 ft 5.7 in–2 ft 3.5 in), its tail length is 4.5–10 cm (1.7–3.9 in), and its weight is normally 2.5–5.5 kg (5 lb 8 oz–12 lb 2 oz). Hence it can be marginally heavier, but is less lengthy, than the European brown hare. In both species, there are occasional extra-heavy specimens that can weigh up to 7 kg (15 lb 7 oz).