A Very Varying Hare
Written by Jeannie Nicklas
Strapping on a pair of snowshoes is a fabulous way to explore our native woods in the winter months. Snowshoes keep you from post-holing (i.e., sinking knee or waist deep in the snow) and allows you to explore the woods unencumbered by roots, rocks, and brambles which are buried beneath layers of ice and snow.
The Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus), is a professional at this sport. Their hind feet, which are literally twice the size of their front feet, develop dense winter fur with stiff hairs that allow them to travel on top of the snow with ease. By staying on top of the snow surface, the snowshoe hare can travel quickly, hopping up to 12’ lengths at 30 mph, and effectively reach twigs to dine on.
This winter fur is also what gives them the name of “Varying Hare” because it changes color from a summer brown to a bright winter white. The ability to change seasonal coats is a photoperiodic phenomenon, governed by the length of daylight. They keep a stylish black tip on their ears regardless of which coat they adorn.
Their competent survival tactics begin at birth. The young are furred at birth with their eyes open, practically ready to run and reproduce. As with other members of the Leporidae family, bountiful reproduction is one of their claims to fame, by potentially giving birth to 9 leverets (baby bunnies) up to 4 times a year.
When and where can you find them hopping about in the woods?
How does the amount of snow cover affect their livelihood?
What is the difference between a rabbit and a hare?
You can find out the answers to these questions and learn more about our forests and wildlife
You can find out the answers to these questions and learn more about our forests and wildlife by joining us for our Naturalist Snowshoe outing on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
