Its white fur helps camouflage it from predators in the winter . In the northernmost parts of its range, it is always white. The Arctic hare has long claws, especially on its hind legs.
Do arctic hares shed their fur?
Not much is known about the moulting pattern but it has been assumed that the annual moult starts in June. During his research at Sverdrup Pass on Ellesmere Island (now in Nunavut), biologist Dr. David Gray saw hares begin losing their winter coats in April , when temperatures still hover around -30°C (-22°F).
Do arctic hares have fur?
They sport thick fur and enjoy a low surface area to volume ratio that conserves body heat, most evident in their shortened ears. These hares sometimes dig shelters in snow and huddle together to share warmth.
What is the white fur of an Arctic hare?
| Arctic hare | Genus: Lepus | Species: L. arcticus | Binomial name | Lepus arcticus Ross, 1819 |
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What do Arctic hare look like?
Arctic hares look like rabbits but have shorter ears , are taller when standing, and, unlike rabbits, can thrive in extreme cold. ... They can travel together with many other hares, sometimes huddling with dozens or more, but are usually found alone, sometimes taking more than one partner.
Who eats the Arctic Wolf?
Polar bears are the only animal predators of Arctic wolves.
What is the fastest Arctic animal?
Arctic hares
Can plants grow in the Arctic?
Approximately 1,700 species of plants live on the Arctic tundra, including flowering plants, dwarf shrubs, herbs, grasses, mosses, and lichens . ... This makes shallow root systems a necessity and prevents larger plants such as trees from growing in the Arctic.
Can you have an Arctic hare as a pet?
These hares are not kept as pets , are not considered endangered, but they are hunted for materials and as food by the Eskimos of the Arctic, Canada, and Greenland, where they are naturally found. They do not harm the human economy or life. In the wild, this breed of hare will live up to five years.
What are arctic hare babies called?
Young hares are called leverets . In the High Arctic, Arctic hares (Lepus arcticus) are born in June with an average litter containing five leverets. In Newfoundland they are also born in June but the average litter size is three leverets.
Do polar bears eat arctic hares?
Polar bears can detect a carcass from nearly 20 miles away with their extraordinary sense of smell and will feed on the bodies of beached bowhead whales and other remains. They’ll also eat fish, shellfish, waterfowl, eggs, rodents and hares .
Why do arctic hares turn white in winter?
Several species of hares—including the Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus), the mountain hare (L. timidus), and the snowshoe hare (L. americanus)—turn from brown or grayish to white in the winter. The color change is thought to be at least partially linked to photoperiod—that is, the amount of light received during the day .
What animals eat arctic hares?
Predators. Both mammals and birds prey upon the Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus). The Arctic wolf is perhaps the most successful of the animals known to prey on adult hares. Even young wolves during their first autumn can successfully catch hares.
Why dont arctic hares dig a burrow?
Arctic hares dig burrows beneath the snow to escape frigid weather . Digging burrows is a quick and easy way of avoiding the biting wind. Besides, they provide refuge from predators. A single hare inhabits a single burrow unless it is a female with her young ones.
Do arctic hares travel in packs?
Arctic hares are sometimes loners but they can also be found in groups of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of individuals. Unlike many mammals, arctic hare groups disperse rather than form during mating season . Animals pair off and define mating territories, though a male may take more than one female partner.
