Resplendent in their snow-white fur, the Snowshoe Hare is one of the most abundant and recognizable mammals living within Canada’s forests.
The white fur is a seasonal development – as soon as the weather starts to turn cold, and the snow hits the ground, the Snowshoe Hare’s fur changes from a dark brown to a bright white, except for a bit of black on the tips of its ears. When spring arrives and the vegetation starts to grow back, these quiet, unobtrusive animals turn back to their basic brown colouring.
Inhabiting every province of Canada, from coast to coast to coast, variations of the main Snowshoe Hare species are also found as far south as the mountainous regions of northern California in the west and North Carolina in the east. Interestingly, these hares were introduced to the island portion of Newfoundland in the 1860s as a source of prey for hunters, but not on Vancouver Island, where they are still not to be found.
They were dubbed ‘Snowshoe Hare’ because of their large hind feet and long toes that help them get around, especially in winter. Unlike other rabbit species, these variants have lots of fur on the bottom of their feet to keep them warm, and to also add a bit of traction.
As well as their colouring, the eating habits of the Snowshoe Hare change with the seasons. In warmer weather, they will take advantage of the lush green vegetation. In winter, they adapt to a menu heavy on twigs, buds, evergreen needles and tree bark. Although focusing on a primarily plant-based diet, if the opportunity to peck away at a dead animal carcass arises, the Snowshoe Hare will not turn down the chance to acquire some needed protein.
The Snowshoe Hare is considered to be an important part of the food chain of the boreal forest and key to the promotion of biodiversity. It must be said, though, that their importance comes mostly from the fact that they are abundant – and tasty – sources of food for a host of predators.
In an interesting zoological phenomena, scientists have determined that the population of Snowshoe Hares operates on a 10 to 11-year cycle. After reaching a peak in numbers, there is then a precipitous drop, before building back up again. Likewise, the numbers of its primary predatory foe, the Canadian Lynx, also follow this cycle, since the hare is its main food source. To a lesser degree, the entire food chain is thus impacted by these cycles. When there are fewer hares, other prey becomes more popular, meaning a ripple effect throughout the landscape.
The movements of Great Horned Owls are also known to shift based on where on the ‘cycle’ the Snowshoe Hare is, with larger migrations happening when that cycle is at a low ebb, meaning there’s less to eat and thus the owls have to travel further to get food, especially during the winter months.
Climate change is throwing a proverbial monkey wrench into this process, as the changes in habitat are impacting the Snowshoe Hare’s ability to change colour in winter. Less snowfall means if it does change white, it will stand out amongst the vegetation. Whereas less snow also means that it won’t change colour at all.
Snowshoe hares are also one of nature’s ‘pathfinders’ in that they like to utilize self-made trails repeatedly as routes to find regular food sources, but also use them for quick getaways when predators are about. In winter, it is often the only way to know that a hare has been around, as they tend to be quiet and hidden during the light of day, but their tracks and trails tell observers that they are indeed in the vicinity.
There is a popular saying when describing human families that have lots of children that they ‘breed like rabbits,’ meaning in abundance. The Snowshoe hare can have up to four litters of anywhere between three to 10 young per year. Males get involved in what are called ‘courtship parades’ over a 24-hour period, with competing males jumping over one another trying to get the attention of a female. These females will often mate with more than one suitor over this time period. Of note, the normal gestation period is between 35 and 40 days, but females are able to get pregnant again at around 35 days, meaning it is possible for a second litter to be conceived before the first one is born, due to the fact that female Snowshoe Hares have two uteri.
Babies are born with their eyes open and fully furred. They are able to hop almost immediately and after nursing for about a month, are considered to be self-supporting, gaining their full adult weight of about 1.5 kg five months after being born.
Besides the Canadian Lynx and Great Horned Owl, other predators of the Snowshoe Hare are fishers, martens, weasels, minks, foxes, domestic cats and dogs, other species of owl, various raptor species, and even black bears.
Tragically, although the life span of a Snowshoe Hare can be up to six years, studies show that most mature adults make it to only their second summer on average, with disease and predation leading to the shortness of life expectancy.
- Sources: Nature Conservancy of Canada, Wikipedia, Parks Canada, Hinterland Who’s Who, National Wildlife Federation.