Field Guide/Mammals/Snowshoe Hare

Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus Snowshoe hare.jpg Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus Leporidae Total length: 20 in. (508 mm.). Tail Length: 2 in. (50.8 mm.). Weight: 3 lbs. (1.36 kg). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Lepus americanus The Snowshoe Hare is a medium-sized rabbit. It has a brown coat in the summer, and a white coat during the winter. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Lepus americanus The soles of its hind legs are densely furred and large, forming the characteristic snowshoe. Shefferly N. 2007 Lepus americanus The Snowshoe Hare is similar to but slightly taller than the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Lepus americanus Northern species found as far north as Alaska and over most of Canada. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Lepus americanus Dense woodlands and forest bogs. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Lepus americanus Open fields, fence rows, and coniferous lowlands. Shefferly N. 2007 Lepus americanus Grass, clover, and ferns in the summer. Bark and twigs in the winter. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Lepus americanus Also eat their own feces. Shefferly N. 2007 Lepus americanus Nocturnal. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History 2012 Lepus americanus Most active during dawn and dusk during periods of low light. Sleep and groom throughout the day. Shefferly N. 2007 Lepus americanus Mates in February through July. Gestation period of 36 days. Typical litter size of 4 (3-4 litters per year). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Lepus americanus Weaned at 14-28 days. Polygynandrous (males and females both have multiple mates). Shefferly N. 2007 Lepus americanus 5 years in the wild. Up to 85% do not live longer than 1 year. Shefferly N. 2007 Lepus americanus Much of the Snowshoe Hare’s digestion occurs in the hindgut. Therefore, to extract all of the available nutrients they will often eat their own feces to cycle their food through a second time. The Snowshoe Hare can run up to 27 MPH and leap 10 ft. in a single bound. Shefferly N. 2007 Lepus americanus Common predators include Coyotes (Canis latrans) Lynxes (Lynx lynx), Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus), and Red-Tailed Hawks (Butao jamaicensis). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Lepus americanus Snowshow Hare’s are accomplished swimmers and often swim to escape predators (2). Snowshoe Hares have very dramatic population fluctuations over 10-year cycles thought to be accredited to over-grazing. Females are typically larger than males. Ruland C. 2012 Lepus americanus References