 Generally nocturnal and shy in nature , hares change their behaviour in the spring , when they can be seen in broad daylight chasing one another around fields and meadows . During this spring frenzy , they can be seen striking one another with their paws ( " boxing " ) . For a long time , this had been thought to be competition between males , but closer observation has revealed it is usually a female hitting a male , either to show she is not yet ready to mate or as a test of his determination . This species has a fairly long breeding season which lasts from January to August . Hares are herbivorous and feed on grasses , herbs , twigs , buds , bark and field crops . Their natural predators include birds of prey , canids and felids . 
