Watch a Battle of Acrobatics and Agility as a Rabbit Tries to Outrun a Hawk

This little rabbit has an extraordinarily narrow escape. It is pursued through the undergrowth by a determined hawk but manages to get away. Not only can it run very fast but it is also able to contort its body into amazing shapes that the hawk simply cannot grab a hold of! Scroll down to see the full footage of this breathless chase.

Watch the Speedy Footage Below

How Fast Can a Rabbit Run?

Rabbits can run at about 35 mph but that does not mean that all rabbits can run at that speed all the time! If you have ever tried to chase your pet rabbit around the garden, you will already know that they are pretty speedy. However, it is not all about top speeds.

What Affects a Rabbit’s Speed?

A number of factors will determine exactly how fast an individual rabbit can run. We know that wild rabbits can run faster than domestic rabbits. We also know that some rabbit breeds are faster than others. For example, the Belgian Hare and the English Spot are a lot faster than the English Lop and the Lionhead.

Also, smaller rabbits are often faster. They weigh less and it takes up less energy for them to move around and accelerate faster. However, agility and the ability to change direction quickly are also essential when you are trying to get away from a predator. Smaller rabbits are usually more agile.

Adult, fit, and well rabbits are always going to be faster. This is why predators will also target sick, weak, and very young or very old individuals because they will be easier to catch.

Finally, we need to consider motivation! If you are being pursued by a hawk you are likely to perform at your highest speed because your life is at stake.

How Large Do Rabbits Get?

The Flemish Giant Rabbit holds the title as the world’s largest rabbit species. Male individuals can weigh more than 13 pounds. Initially, these rabbits were bred for their meat, but the practice shifted due to their high bone-to-meat ratio, leading to a shift in popularity towards breeding for show.

The tiniest rabbits usually grow to around nine inches long and weigh under a pound, while the largest recorded giant breed rabbit reaches over four feet in length and weighed 53 pounds.

Nevertheless, the average domestic rabbit weighs around six pounds.

Is it Normal Behavior For Rabbits to Outrun a Hawk?

The short answer here is yes. Adult rabbits frequently attempt to conceal themselves or flee in order to ensure their safety upon spotting a hawk in flight nearby. Beyond their fear of hawks, rabbits possess an inherent inclination to avoid anything adorned with wings.

Basically, they are prey animals, so they act like prey animals. Should they see anything that might resemble a bird of prey, they will promptly take evasive action and seek cover.

The majority of rabbits are super fast runners and can occasionally outpace predators. Nevertheless, being prey animals, rabbits contend with an extensive array of creatures eager to make a meal of them.

How Fast Is a Rabbit Compared to Other Animals?

A rabbit is not that fast when compared to a cheetah which can reach a speed of 60 mph in under three seconds. It’s also not as fast as a lion which can reach 50 mph.

It certainly isn’t as fast as a horsefly. They can reach 90 mph or a peregrine falcon which has a diving speed of 185 miles per hour!