The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), also called the varying hare or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks.
Its feet also have fur on the soles to protect it from freezing temperatures. Snowshoe hares turn white in winter and brown in summer NPS Photo Snowshoe hares live in the boreal forests of North America and are active year-round. They gain their curious name from their very large hind feet that are lined with stiff hairs that form a snowshoe, supporting their weight on the surface of the snow.
They blend in well with their surroundings because of their seasonal. Snowshoe hares have long legs for jumping, and the big back feet help them move through the snow. Snowshoe hares travel an average of 1.2 and 1.6 kilometers a day.
Female snowshoe hares are slightly larger than males. A male is called a buck. A female is called a doe.
Young snowshoe hares are called leverets. For 101 facts about jaguars, click. Snowshoe hares dwell in Northern forests.
The genus Lepus includes animals like hares and jackrabbits. They belong to the same family as rabbits and hares, the Leporidae. Most species of rabbits and hares are smaller than snowshoe hares.
Snowshoe hares differ from other hares by having longer rear legs, smaller ears, and big, furry feet. The Snowshoe hares' ears are smaller than most hares'; this is because they live in cold environments and don't need big ears that help lower the body temperatures. The snowshoe hare is a northern species which thrives throughout much of Canada and even as far north as Alaska.
In the upper half of Minnesota, it lives in dense woodlands and forest bogs. Hares spend their entire lives in an area of just a few acres. Population and management The snowshoe hare population can rapidly rise and fall on a 10.
The hind feet on a snowshoe hair can be up to seven inches long and have webbing between the toes like snowshoes. This allows the hare to stay on top of the snow while running and jumping. This is very important when the snowshoe hare is trying to escape predators like foxes, lynx, and raptors.
Snowshoe hares can reach speeds up to 30 miles per. The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) or varying hare has an average weight of 1.4 - 2.3 kg with a total length of 380 - 505 mm (Burt 1948). According to Livaitis (1990), they do exhibit sexual dimorphism, with the female being slightly larger than the males.
The color of the snowshoe hare is what gives it the name varying hare. The color varies throughout the year depending on the presence. Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) Size: MEDIUM but relatively LARGE hind feet! Fur: dark brown, or white in winter! Ears: SHORT Tail: SMALL, white to GRAYISH-BROWN Habitat: mountainous forests and thickets, especially near riparian habitat and meadows Distribution in CA: UNCOMMON in the upper elevations of the Klamath and Cascade Mtns.
south through the Sierra Nevada to Mariposa, Mono, and. The snowshoe hare is a North American forest hare known for its seasonal camouflage, oversized feet for snowy travel, and key role in predator.