Females have two or three litters each year, which include from one to eight young per litter. 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 may have up to 4 litters in a year, which average 3 to 8 young. Snowshoe Hare Description. Hares are usually larger and, unlike rabbits, will spend their lives above ground. The range of the snowshoe hare extends from the shores of the Arctic Ocean to the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains. Snowshoe hares are found in North America. 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. Hare, also known as jackrabbit, is small mammal that belongs to the family Leporidae (family of rabbits and hares). The hare’s elongated ears range from 6.2 to 11.0 cm (2.4 to 4.3 in) from the notch to tip. 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 hare is an important prey species, especially to the Lynx. Check out these other fun facts about this cute little animal. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks. Includes Habitat, Scientific Name, Lifespan, Diet, Predators and Threats. Snowshoe hares are quick and agile, able to move as fast as 43 kph (27 mph). Snowshoe hares breed in spring and summer. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks. The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare. 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. More likely, it's a snowshoe hare. The lifespan of the snowshoe hare is not very long; but some hares can live up to 5 years in the wild. In general, hares have longer ears and longer hind feet than rabbits. Snowshoe hares change color due to an evolutionary adaptation that allows them to blend in with their surroundings. When the seasons change to spring and summer, snowshoe hares turn a reddish-brown. Depending on the season, their fur can be a different color. 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. They can jump up to 3 metes and change direction quickly to escape predators. The Snowshoe Hare may have up to 4 litters in a year which average 2 to 4 young. The snowshoe hare is appropriately named because it has very large back feet. They are primarily a northern species that inhabits boreal forests and can also range as far north as the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Lynx | Pixabay Image. The Snowshoe hare is a secretive forest-dwelling mammal found only in North America. Coat color can be brown, grey, tan, white and black. The snowshoe hare’s fur is rusty brown in the spring and summer, and white in the winter. For camouflage, its fur turns white in the course of the winter and rusty brown in the course of the summer time. But … Snowshoe hares eat a variety of herbaceous plants during the summer, including species like vetch, strawberry, fireweed, vetch, lupine, clover bluebell, and some grasses. The Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus is a species of hare found only North America. During the daylight hours, hares spend a great deal of time grooming, and they take fitful naps. 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. While it certainly isn't wearing snowshoes it feet do however serve that exact same function, preventing the hare from sinking into the snow. The snowshoe hare is found in alpine regions of the United States and Canada. During the winter it will survive primarily on twigs, bark and buds. The hares reach maturity after one year. The Canada Lynx population ebbs and flows in relation with their primary food source - the snowshoe hare. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Snowshoe hares are also accomplished swimmers. These animals are nimble and fast, which is fortunate, because they are a popular target for many predators. This particular Hare offers very long fur and it has a round body. 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 They live in several different habitats including open fields, fence rows, swamps, riverside thickets, cedar bogs and coniferous lowlands. The snowshoe hare’s ears are not as long as some other species of hares’ ears. A female hare can birth up to four litters a year. Many hares do not live this long. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. The snowshoe hare gets a jump on life right out of the womb as they are born fully furred with eyes wide open. 2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Snowshoe Hares feed on grass, ferns and leaves when available. Its range also extends into mountains in the United States. The snowshoe hare has a body length of 36 – 52 centimetres and a tail … Snowshoe hares are typically solitary, but they often live at high densities, and individuals share overlapping home ranges. The snowshoe hare has a body length of 36 – 52 centimetres and a tail length of 2.5 – 5.5 centimetres. The lifespan of the snowshoe hare is not very long; but some hares can live up to 5 years in the wild. 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. 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. Females have a gestation period of roughly one month, and can give birth to up to eight young. Snowshoe hare Lepus americanus. The snowshoe hare is also distingui Interesting facts about the behavior and characteristics of the Snowshoe Hare. While the tail is relatively short, it is longer than that of rabbits. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. During the winter, snowshoe hares are white, which helps them blend in with the snow. New England cottontail can have up to three litters a year and average of five young per litter. 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, also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. Let's take a look at some interesting facts about the Canada Lynx: The Canada Lynx's scientific name is Lynx canadensis. Snowshoe hares can be identified by their large hind feet and the black ear tips. They are most active at night and do not hibernate. Hares are a bit larger than rabbits, and they typically have taller hind legs and longer ears. Check out these other fun facts about this cute little animal. The snowshoe hare lives in boreal forest, the northernmost forest in the Northern Hemisphere. Either stays in groups or alone, the hare populates rapidly. In every province and every territory, you can find them. They're from the same family as a rabbit, but a different species. There are 32 species of hare that are native to Africa, Eurasia and North America. It can even live in pairs or groups that are known as droves (for groups). The hare’s fur makes it almost impossible for predators to … While rabbits are born naked, blind, and totally dependent, baby hares, or leverets, are born fully furred and can move around soon after … Sometimes they have been compared to ghosts. It also always has a gray underbelly, and black on the tips and edges of its ears and tail. It is larger than other hares and weighs around 3 to 4 pounds as an adult. Mammal. Snowshoe hares have especially large, furry feet that help them to move atop snow in the winter. Snowshoe hare populations fluctuate cyclically about once a decade—possibly because of disease. The Inupiak name is ukallik (“oo-kall-lick”); the Gwich’in name is geh (“geh”), and the Koyukon name is gguh (“guh”). Some do migrations, some simply hide under the blanket of warm soil, snowshoe hares choose to embrace the winter. Interesting Facts about the Snowshoe Hare: The Snowshoe Hare can travel 3 meters (almost 10 feet) in a single bound. They can leap 3 m (10 ft) in one jump and change direction quickly to escape predators. In order to avoid capture, the hare will remain motionless. Snowshoe hare during winter Image courtesy of Denali National Park and Preserve/Flickr. €“ Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Montana, and they have best... 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