Science | November 6, 2026 7:00 a.m.

The images from Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest show the mammalian species and their twitching noses at their cutest

A rabbit chews on blades of grass.

A rabbit chews on blades of grass.

A rabbit chews on blades of grass.
  Sheryl Hester, Arizona, 2019

Hear, Hear to Long Ears: These 15 Furry Photos of Adorable Rabbits and Hares Will Have You Leaping for Leporidae

The images from Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest show the mammalian species and their twitching noses at their cutest

Text by Tracy Scott Forson

Photographs selected by Donny Bajohr

November 6, 2026 7:00 a.m.

A rabbit chews on blades of grass.
A rabbit chews on blades of grass.
  Sheryl Hester, Arizona, 2019

It would be difficult to pick the coolest, the best or the most unique species, but few would argue that cuddly, soft, adorable bunnies are among the cutest. With their bushy tails, whiskers and fuzzy, furry coats, they have hopped into the hearts of many humans. Twenty-nine species of these herbivores inhabit six continents. Hares, meanwhile, have longer ears and hind feet than rabbits, and they’re often confused for each other. Get a close-up look at these huggable heart-stealers. Instead, just enjoy these images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest.

A man cradles a baby bunny
A man cradles a baby bunny. Jovanna Mireles, Texas, 2018
A bunny peeks out from a sea of green ivy
A bunny peeks out from a sea of green ivy. Aaron Heller, Massachusetts, 2018
Mister Fluffy is welcomed into a new family with a night of dress-up.
Mister Fluffy is welcomed into a new family with a night of dress-up. Shalla Melton, New Hampshire, 2019
A hare enjoys a snowy landscape. Juhani Vilpo, Norway, 2025
Nocturnal mountain hares violently compete for the opportunity to procreate. Arnfinn Johansen, Norway, 2021
A white-tailed bunny makes a meal of flowers in a rural backyard. Caroline Hardy, Canada, 2022
A young rabbit munches away at the tall grass on a warm summer evening. Charlie Quirk, Massachusetts, 2025
Weighing between 1 and 2.5 pounds as an adult, the Netherland Dwarf is one of the smallest domestic rabbit breeds. David Vaught, Oklahoma, 2018
Two hares share a moment of peace as they rest in the grass at the edge of a harvested field. Dominik Mizgała, Poland, 2025
It’s playtime as dewdrops dot the air; frolicking ensues. Frank Klein, Texas, 2015
Two baby English bunnies sit nose to nose in a burrow. Silver Levy-So, United Kingdom, 2009
This baby bunny rabbit was small enough to fit in the palms of a woman’s hands. Janessa Broadbent, California, 2014
A bunny peeks from under an apartment building. Eric Laufer, Colorado, 2015
Several long ears are visible poking out above a bunch of beautiful bunnies. Divyam V., India, 2018

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Source: Smithsonian Magazine · Tracy Scott Forson

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🇺🇸 US
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