The snowshoe hare gets a jump on life right out of the womb as they are born fully furred with eyes wide open. These animals are nimble and fast, which is fortunate, because they are a popular target for many predators. They are active at low light levels and so are most often seen out and about at dawn, dusk, and during the night. They are quick and agile, able to move as fast as 43 km/h (27 mph). New England cottontail can have up to three litters a year and average of five young per litter. 7. Snowshoe Hares feed on grass, ferns and leaves when available. Either stays in groups or alone, the hare populates rapidly. Snowshoe hares exhibit enormous population fluctuations, peaking every 9-10 years. Snowshoe hares have especially large, furry feet that help them to move atop snow in the winter. They are white when weather conditions warrant it so that they can easily blend into their surroundings. Check out these other fun facts about this cute little animal. Snowshoe hares are found in North America. Snowshoe hares generally have litters of 2 to 4 young, known as leverets, up to 4 times a year. But … Named for their large back feet that work like snowshoes in their snowy winter habitat, these shy critters are common animals in Rocky Mountain National Park. Other predators include bobcats, foxes, mink and coyotes. Important predators of snowshoe hares include gray foxes, red foxes, coyotes, wolves, lynx, bobcats and mink. The Inupiak name is ukallik (“oo-kall-lick”); the Gwich’in name is geh (“geh”), and the Koyukon name is gguh (“guh”). Unlike most snowshoe hares, the fur of those that inhabit the coast of Washington and Oregon do not change white in the winter. Newborn hare are fully furred, have open eyes, weigh about two and a half ounces (70 grams), and have a dense brown coat with a small patch of white on the forehead. These waning and waxing numbers greatly impact the animals that count on hares for food, particularly the lynx. Hares are not the same as rabbits. The snowshoe hare may have up to 4 litters in a year, which average 3 to 8 young. Females have two or three litters each year, which include from one to eight young per litter. They are also active on cloudy days. They usually weigh between 1.4 and 1.5 kg (3 to 3.3 lbs). They are most active at night and do not hibernate. 4. Its feet also have fur on the soles to protect it from freezing temperatures. The hind feet are heavily furred to protect it from freezing temperatures; and all four feet are large in proportion to body size, a snowshoe-like adaptation that enables the hare to travel over snow. They store up fat that helps them to survive when there is less food. This lesson will teach you about a kind of hare called the snowshoe hare. Snowshoe hare can have up to four litters a year, with one to nine young per litter. The hare’s elongated ears range from 6.2 to 11.0 cm (2.4 to 4.3 in) from the notch to tip. The snowshoe hare has a body length of 36 – 52 centimetres and a tail … When threatened, rabbits normally freeze and rely on disguise. The snowshoe hare is also distingui Hare, (genus Lepus), any of about 30 species of mammals related to rabbits and belonging to the same family (Leporidae). Snowshoe hares are found in North America. Snowshoe hare during winter Image courtesy of Denali National Park and Preserve/Flickr. They are also good swimmers. A snowshoe hare’s diet mainly consists of vegetation, with leaves and grass eaten during summer and bark, twigs and buds eaten during winter. The hares reach maturity after one year. In summer, the snowshoe hare feeds on plants such as grass, ferns, and leaves; in winter, it eats twigs, the bark from trees, and buds from flowers and plants and, similar to the Arctic hare, has been known to occasionally eat dead animals. Did You Know: Facts About the Snowshoe Hare. During summer, they usually have reddish and grayish brown fur, while in winter, it becomes fully white. The Canada Lynx population ebbs and flows in relation with their primary food source - the snowshoe hare. The snowshoe hare is found in alpine regions of North America, Alaska and Canada. The lifespan of the snowshoe hare is not very long; but some hares can live up to 5 years in the wild. The snowshoe hare is appropriately named because it has very large back feet. They're from the same family as a rabbit, but a different species. Includes Habitat, Scientific Name, Lifespan, Diet, Predators and Threats. 4. The lifespan of the snowshoe hare is not very long; but some hares can live up to 5 years in the wild. Snowshoe hares are forest-dwellers that prefer the thick cover of brushy undergrowth. Snowshoe hares are also accomplished swimmers. Snowshoe rabbit and varying hare Description: Size: 16-20 in (40.64-50.8 cm); Tail length 0.98-2.1 in (2.5-5.5 cm) Weight: 32-64 oz (0.90-1.8 kg) Color: White throughout the winter and brown during the summer : Subspecies and Distribution: 1. All rights reserved. Snowshoe Hare Description. Historical records of animals caught by fur hunters over hundreds of years show the lynx and hare numbers rising and falling in a cycle, which has made the hare known to biology students worldwide as a case study of the relationship between numbers of predators and their prey. There are 32 species of hare that are native to Africa, Eurasia and North America. While rabbits are born naked, blind, and totally dependent, baby hares, or leverets, are born fully furred and can move around soon after … Mammal. 1. … It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. Did You Know: Facts About the Snowshoe Hare The scientific name for snowshoe hare is Lepus americanus. Snowshoe hares have an interesting adaptation that helps protect them against predators. Snowshoe hares tend to be larger than rabbits and have longer legs and bigger ears. Numbers vary from approximately one hare per 50 hectares (125 acres) to upwards of 200 per hectare (2.5 acres). The range of the snowshoe hare extends from the shores of the Arctic Ocean to the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains. While it certainly isn't wearing snowshoes it feet do however serve that exact same function, preventing the hare from sinking into the snow. Snowshoe hare populations fluctuate cyclically about once a decade—possibly because of disease. The Snowshoe hare is a secretive forest-dwelling mammal found only in North America. They can leap 3 m (10 ft) in one jump and change direction quickly to escape predators. Hare, also known as jackrabbit, is small mammal that belongs to the family Leporidae (family of rabbits and hares). The snowshoe hare is one of the most common forest mammals but is found only in North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. Lepus americanus americanus (Erxleben) – Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Montana, and North Dakota 2. Along North American mountain ranges, where elevation simulates the environment of more northerly latitudes, they can be found as far south as Virginia (the Appalachians) and New Mexico (the Rockies). Interesting facts about the behavior and characteristics of the Snowshoe Hare. The snowshoe hare’s scientific name is Lepus americanus and it comes from the family Leporidae, the family of rabbits and hares. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare. Snowshoe hares breed in spring and summer. Hares are usually larger and, unlike rabbits, will spend their lives above ground. When the seasons change to spring and summer, snowshoe hares turn a reddish-brown. The snowshoe hare, also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. The vernacular names hare and rabbit During the winter, snowshoe hares are white, which helps them blend in with the snow. They also have a snow-white winter coat that turns brown when the snow melts each spring. Enlarge Image . The name ‘snowshoe hare’ comes from the animal’s very large and furry back feet that allows the hare to move across snow more easily, and they can reach up to speeds of 43.5 km/hr (27 miles per hour). Lynx, fox, coyote, and even some birds of prey hunt this wary hare. Snowshoe hares can be identified by their large hind feet and the black ear tips. Like most hares (and rabbits), snowshoe hares are prolific breeders. Depending on the season, their fur can be a different color. For camouflage, its fur turns white in the course of the winter and rusty brown in the course of the summer time. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/s/snowshoe-hare.html. Hares are not the same as rabbits. An adult snowshoe hare is 14 to 20 inches long and weights 3 to 4 pounds. Hare is usually a solitary mammal that does not dig burrows, rather lives entirely above the ground. They change from … In the winter, they’ll have white fur so they can blend in with the snow, while during sprint, their fur will be shorter with a brownish tint. A female hare can birth up to four litters a year. Snowshoe hares change color due to an evolutionary adaptation that allows them to blend in with their surroundings. Hares are a bit larger than rabbits, and they typically have taller hind legs and longer ears. Hares are born with fur and their eyes open. Snowshoe hares have especially large, furry feet that help them to move atop snow in the winter. The hare is an important prey species, especially to the Lynx. They live in several different habitats including open fields, fence rows, swamps, riverside thickets, cedar bogs and coniferous lowlands. Let's take a look at some interesting facts about the Canada Lynx: The Canada Lynx's scientific name is Lynx canadensis. Its range also extends into mountains in the United States. Their appearance helps these hares to blend into the landscape, and they can also sprint at speeds of up to 43 kph (27 mph) to escape predators. The Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus is a species of hare found only North America. In every province and every territory, you can find them. Both names describe physical properties of Lepus americanus, the big hare of Pennsylvania's north woods. Most activity is restricted to pathways, trampled down “roads” in the vegetation that the hares know very thoroughly. During the daylight hours, hares spend a great deal of time grooming, and they take fitful naps. Some do migrations, some simply hide under the blanket of warm soil, snowshoe hares choose to embrace the winter. Instead, here are five fun facts about snowshoe hares, with help from Lyndsay MacWilliams of Island Nature Trust and biologist Kate MacQuarrie. In eastern Canada and mountainous areas, the forest is predominantly coniferous (spruce and fir), whereas over large expanses of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the forest is mainly deciduous (aspen and balsam poplar). They live in several different habitats including open fields, fence rows, swamps, riverside thickets, cedar bogs and coniferous lowlands. They are typically nocturnal and solitary creatures. So, their fur color will change according to the season. Like most hares, snowshoe hares do not dig burrows. The layers o… Many hares do not live this long. 2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. The Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) is also called the ‘Varying Hare’. Coat color can be brown, grey, tan, white and black. During the winter it will survive primarily on twigs, bark and buds. It also always has a gray underbelly, and black on the tips and edges of its ears and tail. Breeding season for snowshoe hares runs from mid-March through August. It can even live in pairs or groups that are known as droves (for groups). Snowshoe hare Lepus americanus. Hares are a bit larger than rabbits, and they typically have taller hind legs and longer ears. Found in the Alpine region, the snowshoe hare is an interesting animal as it changes color according to the season. Snowshoe hare in the winter Named for their large back feet that work like snowshoes in their snowy winter habitat, these shy critters are common animals in Rocky Mountain National Park. The snowshoe hare changes colour with the seasons, the white fur turning reddish or grayish brown for the summer. While the tail is relatively short, it is longer than that of rabbits. The population of snowshoe hares in northern boreal forests (such as in Canada and Alaska) is cyclic, meaning their numbers peak about every ten years. The Snowshoe Hare population rises and falls in a cyclical pattern. Snowshoe hares eat a variety of herbaceous plants during the summer, including species like vetch, strawberry, fireweed, vetch, lupine, clover bluebell, and some grasses. Snowshoe hares are quick and agile, able to move as fast as 43 kph (27 mph). The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks. For camouflage, its fur turns white during the winter and rusty brown during the … They can jump up to 3 metes and change direction quickly to escape predators. Snowshoe hares are typically solitary, but they often live at high densities, and individuals share overlapping home ranges. Varying hare – snowshoe rabbit. However, they are also brown for part of the year so that they have the best chances of remaining well camouflaged. Interesting Facts about the Snowshoe Hare: The Snowshoe Hare can travel 3 meters (almost 10 feet) in a single bound. The color of their fur changes with the season for camouflage, from reddish-brown in summer to pure white with black ear tips in winter. It gets it name from its very large back feet which give the appearance that the hare is walking with snowshoes. The Snowshoe Hare may have up to 4 litters in a year which average 2 to 4 young. The population of the snowshoe hare fluctuates tremendously on a roughly 10 year cycle, due to the availability of food and predator interactions. Hares are usually larger than rabbits and have longer ears. The snowshoe hare has a body length of 36 – 52 centimetres and a tail length of 2.5 – 5.5 centimetres. 1. … Hares are not kept as house pets. They can move as fast as 45 kilometers per hour (about 28 miles per hour)! The hind feet are heavily furred, and all four feet are large in proportion to body size, a snowshoe-like adaptation that enables the hare to travel over snow. Its feet also have fur on the soles to protect it from freezing temperatures. The snowshoe hare is found in alpine regions of the United States and Canada. Rabbits give birth to their young in burrows while hares give birth in more open areas. Snowshoe Hares are nocturnal, staying near thickets during the day and coming out to eat in the evening. Some hare species, such as the snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus, and the southern populations of the Arctic hare, Lepus arcticus, can change the color of their fur with the season. The Snowshoe Hare is believed to always be white, but that isnt the case. You will learn where it lives, what it likes to eat and some other cool facts about this interesting animal. These animals have acute hearing and are able to detect predators. A snowshoe hare is a North American hare with fur on its big back feet and a fur coat that changes color, depending on the season. The snowshoe hare’s ears are not as long as some other species of hares’ ears. Snowshoe hares range in length from 40 to 51 cm (16 to 20 in), of which about 5 cm (2 in) is tail. They occasionally swim across small lakes and rivers, and they have been seen entering the water in order to avoid predators. Sometimes they have been compared to ghosts. Snowshoe hares feed at night, following well worn forest paths to feed on trees and shrubs, grasses, and plants. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Snowshoe hare, (Lepus americanus), also called snowshoe rabbit or varying hare, northern North American species of hare that undergoes an annual colour change from brownish or grayish in summer to pure white in winter. It takes about ten weeks for the coat to completely change color. This week’s featured animal is the snowshoe hare. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. Snowshoe Hare. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks. In general, hares have longer ears and longer hind feet than rabbits. Snowshoe Hare – The snowshoe hare, additionally known as the various hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare present in North America.It has the identify “snowshoe” due to the big dimension of its hind ft and the marks its tail leaves. The range of the snowshoe hare extends from the shores of the Arctic Ocean to the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains. Lynx | Pixabay Image. This particular Hare offers very long fur and it has a round body. Some hares, such as the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) and southern populations of the Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus), change color with the seasons. The scientific name for snowshoe hare is Lepus americanus. For camouflage, its fur turns white during the winter and rusty brown during the summer. In order to avoid capture, the hare will remain motionless. The Inupiak name is ukallik (“oo-kall-lick”); the Gwich’in name is geh (“geh”), and the Koyukon name is gguh (“guh”). Females have a gestation period of roughly one month, and can give birth to up to eight young. The snowshoe hare’s fur is rusty brown in the spring and summer, and white in the winter. This week’s featured animal is the snowshoe hare. Believe it … It is larger than other hares and weighs around 3 to 4 pounds as an adult. They are active year round and are mostly out at night. Its feet also have fur on the soles to protect it from freezing temperatures. Its flanks are white year-round. Young hares, called leverets, require little care from their mothers and can survive on their own in a month or less. It’s no secret anymore that snowshoe hare has a great adaptation in winter. More likely, it's a snowshoe hare. The hare’s fur makes it almost impossible for predators to … Home Mammals Snowshoe Hare. The population of snowshoe hares in northern boreal forests (such as in Canada and Alaska) is cyclic, meaning their numbers peak about every ten years. Unlike the majority of our Wild Facts, the snowshoe hare is a pretty common animal that I have had the pleasure of viewing throughout my life. Check out these other fun facts about this cute little animal. Most species of hare inhabit open forests, meadows, clearings and farmlands (some hares can survive in the extreme habitats such as deserts and Arctic tundra). They are primarily a northern species that inhabits boreal forests and can also range as far north as the shores of the Arctic Ocean. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks. The snowshoe hare, also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. Snowshoe Hare Facts Marian K Mar 5, 2020 Snowshoe hares, also known as "varying hares", have fur on the soles of their hind feet, have acute hearing, and … The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare. The snowshoe hare lives in boreal forest, the northernmost forest in the Northern Hemisphere. A common type of hare in Arctic North America is the Snowshoe Hare, replaced further south by the Black-tailed Jackrabbit, White-tailed Jackrabbit and other species.