Where does the snowshoe hare live?
The snowshoe hare lives in North America, widely across Canada and the United States. It inhabits dense boreal forests, montane forests and wetlands, and requires heavy brush cover for protection. Its name refers to its large hind feet, which prevent it from sinking into soft snow, much like snowshoes.
What does the snowshoe hare eat?
In winter, it eats branches, twigs and small stems, spruce needles and bark. In summer, it switches to succulent green vegetation: grasses, clover and the leaves of willows and birches. It is crepuscular and nocturnal, resting in shallow depressions during the day. It has two seasonal coats: short and brown in summer, long and white in winter, hence the name varying hare.
Is the snowshoe hare endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Its major predator is the Canada lynx. Lynx and hare numbers rise and fall in a cycle of about 10 years, which has made the hare known to biology students worldwide. It usually weighs between 1.43 and 1.55 kg.
