# Mountain Hare (*Lepus timidus*) The Mountain Hare is a fluffy rabbit that lives in cold, snowy places. In winter, its fur turns white to blend in with the snow, and in summer, it turns brown to match the ground. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Mountain Hare](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lepus_timidus_in_Volgograd_Oblast.jpg&width=800) Photo: Правительство Волгоградской области, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lepus_timidus_in_Volgograd_Oblast.jpg) ## Appearance The Mountain Hare has a compact body with short, rounded ears that are tipped in black all year. Its fur is typically brownish-grey in summer, but famously turns pure white in winter, making it perfectly blend with snow. This seasonal coat change makes it visually distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Lagomorpha - **Family:** Leporidae - **Genus:** Lepus ## Interesting facts - In some parts of the world, Mountain Hares keep their brown fur all year, even in winter! - Mountain Hares sometimes eat their own droppings to get extra nutrients! - They often dig shallow scrapes in the ground called 'forms' to rest and hide from danger! - Unlike rabbits, baby hares (leverets) are born with open eyes and can run within minutes! ## Special abilities - **Chameleon Coat:** Mountain Hares have fur that changes colour seasonally, helping them magically blend into their snowy or rocky environment. - **Snowshoe Paws:** Mountain Hares have large, furry feet that spread out, helping them run on deep snow without sinking down too much. - **Turbo Speed:** Mountain Hares can sprint up to 60 km/h, which helps them quickly escape from predators across open terrain. - **All-Weather Survival:** Mountain Hares have thick fur that provides excellent insulation, keeping them warm in freezing temperatures. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-65 cm - **Weight:** 2-5 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-5 - **Gestation:** 48-52 days ## Diet & Feeding These plant-eaters munch on tough grasses, heather, and twigs to survive chilly mountain weather. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Heather, Willow Bark, Birch Twigs, Berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — A major bird of prey in mountain habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — A common predator in many hare habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Stoat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stoat) (*Mustela erminea*) — Preys on leverets and smaller hares. - **Eaten by:** Wolf (*Canis lupus*) — Hunts hares in areas where both live. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a Mountain Hare in the wild, watch quietly from a distance so you don't scare it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mountain 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 Mountain Hare? 45-65 cm ### How much does Mountain Hare weigh? 2-5 kg ### How long does Mountain Hare live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Mountain Hare move? 60 km/h ### What does Mountain Hare eat? These plant-eaters munch on tough grasses, heather, and twigs to survive chilly mountain weather. ### Where is Mountain Hare usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Mountain Hare hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Zoo am Meer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-am-meer) — Bremen, DE · Zoo - [Monviso Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monviso-nature-park) — IT · Park - [Ampezzo Dolomites Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ampezzo-dolomites-nature-park) — IT · Park - [Fanes–Senes–Braies Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fanessenesbraies-nature-park) — IT · Park [View all places to see Mountain Hare](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mountain-hare) ## 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: [Mountain Hare: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mountain-hare)