Lepus, the Hare, is only visible in the Northern Hemisphere in winter. Lepus, is located just below Orion and west of Cannis (Major and Minor). Although Lepus was known to the Greeks, its mythology has been lost. It is believed that Lepus is the prey of Orion or that, perhaps, Orion's dog, Canis Major, is chasing the rabbit for fun while Orion fights Taurus the Bull.

One of the more significant stars in Lepus was discovered in 1845 by J.R. Hind called the Hind's Crimson Star, which he described as a drop of blood on a black field. This red giant star is a variable. That means that it's brightness changes because the star's interior is unstable at the end of its life.