Have you ever heard the saying “mad as a March hare” and wondered what it means? It’s one of those quirky phrases that sound straight out of a fairy tale, but it actually has deep roots in history—and nature! Let’s dive into where it comes from and why hares have such a wild reputation.
Where Does the Phrase Come From?
This saying dates back to at least the 16th century, but it really gained popularity thanks to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, where the March Hare is portrayed as delightfully eccentric, sipping tea at the Mad Hatter’s famous tea party.
So why March? Well, hares are generally calm creatures, but come early spring—March, to be exact—things get a little crazy. This is mating season, and in their quest for a mate, hares display some pretty bizarre behaviour. They chase each other frantically, leap high into the air, and even engage in full-on “boxing” matches with their paws. People observing these antics centuries ago naturally assumed the hares had gone a bit mad, and the phrase was born.
Fascinating Hare Facts
Hares often get mistaken for rabbits, but they’re actually quite different! Here are some fun facts:
🐰 Hares are built for speed. Unlike rabbits, which are more inclined to hide in burrows, hares rely on their powerful legs to outrun predators. Some can hit speeds of up to 45 mph!
🥊 That "boxing" isn’t what it seems. While it's often assumed that male hares are fighting each other, it’s actually the females swatting away overly eager suitors who won’t take no for an answer. Take that!
🌙 They’re active at night. Hares are mostly nocturnal, so they spend their days resting and their nights foraging for food.
👀 They’ve got incredible vision. Thanks to their large eyes, hares can see nearly 360 degrees around them—perfect for spotting sneaky predators.
💔 Sadly hares are declining in the UK - the number of hares has dropped by more than 80% in the last 100 years due to loss of habitat. This makes the elusive hare even harder to spot in the countryside.
The Humble Hare's Mascot
Here at The Humble Hare, we have a soft spot for these wonderful creatures—after all, our bestselling design, The Humble Hare himself, is our mascot! With their mix of grace, speed, and a little bit of mischief, hares perfectly embody the spirit of what we do. Whether it’s their boundless energy in March or their quiet resilience throughout the year, hares remind us to embrace both the playful and the peaceful moments in life.
Mad as a March Hare?
So next time you hear someone say “mad as a March hare” you’ll know exactly what it means and why hares have such a "mad" reputation. They might look like they’ve lost their minds in springtime, but really, they’re just following nature’s call in their own wild way.