Species · GBIF taxon 2436794
Snowshoe Hare
Lepus americanusAlso known as Varying Hare, Snowshoe Rabbit
Snowshoe hares are masters of seasonal camouflage, swapping their warm brown summer coats for snowy white fur each winter to blend seamlessly into their northern forest habitats. Their oversized, heavily furred hind feet act like natural snowshoes, allowing them to sprint effortlessly across deep drifts where heavier predators sink. These nocturnal herbivores play a foundational role in boreal ecosystems, driving the famous ten-year population cycles of their primary predators.
CamouflageBorealNocturnal
- diet
- Herbivorous browser feeding on grasses, clover, twigs, bark, and buds.
- family
- Leporidae
- threats
- Habitat fragmentation, climate change causing camouflage mismatch, and intense predator pressure.
- life Span
- 1 to 5 years in the wild.
LC
Safe to observe from a distance; they will quickly flee if approached.
- Look for Tracks: Search for distinctive, large, hand-shaped tracks in winter snow to locate active feeding areas.
- Watch the Edges: Scan dense brush piles and forest edges during dawn and dusk when they are most active.
- Observe Quietly: Freeze when you spot one, as they rely on camouflage and will remain still if they feel unseen.