Where does the Arctic hare live?
The Arctic hare is highly adapted to living in the Arctic tundra and other icy biomes. It lives in northernmost Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, Northern Canada, Labrador and Newfoundland, on tundras, plateaus and treeless coasts, from sea level to 900 m. It usually digs holes in the ground or under the snow to keep warm and to sleep.
What does the Arctic hare eat?
It feeds primarily on woody plants: arctic willow makes up 95% of its diet year-round. It also eats saxifrage, crowberry, lichens and mosses. In summer, legumes dominate, at 70% of intake. It looks like a rabbit but has shorter ears, is taller when standing, and can thrive in extreme cold. It can run up to 60 km/h.
Is the Arctic hare endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern, and its conservation appears stable. Its predators include mainly the Arctic wolf, Arctic fox, lynx and snowy owl. It measures 43 to 70 cm, weighs 2.5 to 5.5 kg, and up to 7 kg for large individuals.
