Maine is home to 2 species in 2 genera in 1 family (Leporidae).

If you know which species you have or are interested in learning about, click on the appropriate species link below. Otherwise, to determine which genus that the animal you are trying to identify belongs to, refer to the tabular key immediately below the species list.

Family Leporidae (2 genera, 2 species)
   Lepus (1 species)
      Lepus americanus - snowshoe hare
   Sylvivagus (1 species)
      Sylvivagus transitionalis - New England cottontail

Key to the genera of Family Leporidae in Maine

	char. 1	char. 2	char. 3	char. 4	char. 5
Lepus
Silvivagus

Lepus (?)
[information to be added]

Lepus americanus (snowshoe hare) - Lepus (genitive leporis) is the Latin noun (masculine, third declension) for hare. It is much more common to find the scat (image below center) of a snowshoe hare than to see the animal. The fallen white pine (Pinus strobus) in the image provided shelter and food (note the absence of bark on several branches) for at least one snowshoe hare during the winter.
   Tracks (image below right) (and sometimes scat) are often the only way most people can tell that a snowshoe hare has been in the area. And unless they are familiar with the way a hare travels, they may get the direction backward. The front feet land first and then the hind feet travel past where the front feet had landed. So, this hare was traveling toward the top of the picture.
         
   (click on an image to enlarge)

Silvivagus (common name?)
[information to be added]

Sylvivagus transitionalis (New England cottontail) - [information to be added]