About Hares and Rabbits. Because of their gnawing teeth, rabbits and hares once were classified as rodents (Rodentia). But they differ from the others by having two small incisors (cutting teeth) behind the larger ones in the upper jaw. For this reason scientists now place them in a separate order, Lagomorpha. Within the order Lagomorpha, rabbits and hares belong to the family Leporidae. The scientific name of the eastern cottontail rabbit is Sylvilagus floridanus; marsh rabbit, S. palustris; swamp rabbit, S. quaticus; black-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus californicus; varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, L. americanus; white-tailed jackrabbit, L. townsendii; Arctic hare, L. arcticus; European common hare, L. europaeus; Alpine hare, L. timidus (the Blue Hare); European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus. The pika belongs to another family, Ochotonidae. Its scientific name is Ochotona princeps.   To escape enemies, rabbits and hares rely chiefly on speed. When a hare or rabbit takes to flight it leaves the ground with a tremendous leap. For an instant its body is stretched out in a straight line. Then, while still in the air, it brings its hind legs forward until they reach beyond and above its head. While it is bunched in this position, its forepaws strike the ground, one ahead of the other. An instant later the hind legs strike on each side and ahead of the forefeet. Thus the animal is "coiled up" almost like a spring. It "uncoils" suddenly to make its next great leap. The tracks left by the feet form a pattern like a human face. The marks are blurred, because the feet are furry. A frightened jackrabbit covers from 15 to 20 feet at a bound. Cottontails jump little more than eight ............... feet, and they tire more quickly. Traveling at top speed, they may stop suddenly and jump in another direction. This trick has driven pursuing dogs headlong into barbed-wire fences and even over cliffs. Hares and rabbits are timid, but they fight bravely in defense of their young and in self-defense. They may leap over the back of another animal or a snake, and give it a fierce kick with the hind legs. They may bite if necessary. Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia Copyright © 1994, 1995 Compton's NewMedia, Inc.