Arlene Wheeler, age 14, of Rutland, Vt., for her question:

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RABBIT AND A HARE?

Although the common names rabbit and hare are often used interchangeably, zoologists tell us that there is definitely a difference between the two animals. The species called rabbits are characterized by the helplessness of their offspring, which are born naked and blind, and by their gregarious habit of living in colonies in underground burrows.

In contrast, the species designated zoologically as hares are born furred and with vision, and the adults merely construct a simple nest and rarely live socially. Furthermore, the hare is generally larger than the rabbit and has longer ears with characteristic black marking. Moreover, the skull of each species is distinctively different.

You'll find hares and rabbits distributed throughout the world. Both species have many common characteristics. Both species breed prolifically, bearing four to eight litters each year with three to eight young in each litter. Each baby will reach sexual maturity in about six months.

Hares and rabbits vary in size from two to 11 pounds and attain a length of about 12 to 24 inches. They feed mainly on vegetables, tree bark and herbs. They prefer to live in regions where the soil is loose and dry and where brushwood offers shelter.

The species commonly found in the United States and Canada are the cottontail, the snowshoe rabbit, the jackrabbit and the domestic rabbit.

The chief wild rabbit in North America is the cottontail. Its tail resembles a cottonbaii.

Snowshoe is a hare popularly known as the snowshoe rabbit. In winter it is pure white except for black ear tips and in summer it is reddish brown.

Jackrabbit is another hare. It runs 45 miles per hour and can bound 20 feet in one jump.

There are 10 varieties of the domesticated rabbit. They are derived from the species of wild rabbit native to Europe and Africa. They vary in color, texture of hair and size.

Domestic rabbits warn one another of danger by thumping on the ground with their hind feet. They are bred as pets, for genetic studies, for laboratory experimentation and for their furs. Domestic rabbits' furs are sold under the trade name of arctic seal, clipped seal and lapin. Domestic rabbit is also available as food.

The most famous instance of the rapid distribution of rabbits is to be found in their present abundance in Australia and New Zealand, into the latter of which countries seven rabbits were first turned out near Invercargill, apparently about 1860. They soon spread to both countries and multiplied to such an alarming degree that rabbit control became a serious problem.

In Australia a virus deadly only to true rabbits was developed, and in 1951 it was artificially promoted. It met with success only in areas with sufficient water to serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which transmit the disease causing virus to the rabbits.

Unfortunately, the disease spread to Europe, killing rabbits in Great Britain, Belgium and France, where the animal serves useful purposes.