Brown hare
Hare damage to bark, close-up.
This example shows fresh bark girdling on a 2-year-old nursery-grown apple tree (see right also). The gnawing bite marks made by the front incisor teeth are typical of both brown hares and rabbits. Sometimes, the unique groove in the centre of their upper incisor teeth can leave a distinguishing mark different from other species such as possums, but such a mark is not evident in this photo.
The culprit brown hare in this case was shot within hours of the damage occurring.
Photo: copyright Ken Wright