# Arctic Hare (*Lepus arcticus*) The Arctic Hare is a fluffy animal that lives in the cold, snowy places of the Arctic. They have big ears and strong legs to help them hop around quickly! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Arctic tundra - **Also known as:** Polar Hare, White Hare ![Arctic Hare](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426130/objects/4500.jpg) ## Appearance The Arctic Hare is a large hare with relatively short, black-tipped ears and powerful, fur-padded feet. Its coat is brilliant white in winter, offering perfect camouflage against the snow, and changes to a brownish-grey in summer. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** CHORDATA - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** LAGOMORPHA - **Family:** LEPORIDAE - **Genus:** Lepus ## Interesting facts - Arctic Hares can hop on just two legs when running very fast! - Arctic Hares have short ears to prevent heat loss in freezing temperatures! - They can stand tall on their hind legs to scan for danger across the open tundra! - They can survive temperatures as low as -40°C by snuggling together! ## Special abilities - **Winter Whiteout:** Arctic Hare has a thick fur coat that changes from white to brownish-grey, helping them blend into their snowy environment. - **Snow Shoe Sprint:** Arctic Hare can reach speeds up to 60 km/h on its large, fur-padded feet, allowing it to flee predators across snow. - **Tundra Tunneler:** Arctic Hare can dig into snow banks with strong claws to find food and create shelters from harsh winds and cold. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 43-70 cm - **Weight:** 2.5-6.8 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-8 - **Gestation:** 49-53 days ## Diet & Feeding Arctic Hares munch on tough arctic plants, especially woody shrubs, grasses, and mosses. - **Primary Foods:** Dwarf willow, Moss, Lichens, Grasses, Berries, Buds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Arctic Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fox) (*Vulpes lagopus*) — A nimble predator that hunts hares, especially young ones. - **Eaten by:** Grey Wolf (*Canis lupus*) — A primary predator, often chasing hares across the tundra. - **Eaten by:** [Snowy Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snowy-owl) (*Bubo scandiacus*) — Hunts hares from above, particularly in open, flat areas. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Tundra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tundra): This habitat trait refers to species inhabiting tundras, which are treeless biomes characterized by permafrost, cold temperatures, and low-growing vegetation. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Arctic Hares are gentle and not dangerous to people, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Arctic Hare? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Arctic Hare? 43-70 cm ### How much does Arctic Hare weigh? 2.5-6.8 kg ### How long does Arctic Hare live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Arctic Hare move? 60 km/h ### What does Arctic Hare eat? Arctic Hares munch on tough arctic plants, especially woody shrubs, grasses, and mosses. ### Where is Arctic Hare usually found? Arctic tundra ### How does Arctic Hare hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Arctic Hare: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-hare)