# Snowshoe Hare (*Lepus americanus*) The Snowshoe Hare is a fluffy rabbit that loves to hop around in snowy places. Its big feet help it walk on top of the snow, and it changes color with the seasons! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 16 - **Habitat:** Forest and tundra - **Also known as:** Lepus americanus, Varying Hare ![Snowshoe Hare](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425856/objects/1968.jpg) ## Appearance The Snowshoe Hare has large, furry back feet and striking fur that changes from reddish-brown in summer to pure white in winter. It has a shorter tail and ears compared to other hares, and often appears stocky. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Lagomorpha - **Family:** Leporidae - **Genus:** Lepus ## Interesting facts - Snowshoe Hares sometimes eat their own soft droppings to get extra nutrients from their food. - Their big ears can swivel all around to hear predators approaching from far away! - These hares are mostly solitary, preferring to live alone in their forest homes. - They communicate danger to other hares by thumping their large back feet on the ground. ## Special abilities - **Seasonal Camouflage:** Snowshoe Hare can change its fur color from brown to white because of seasonal changes that helps them blend into their surroundings. - **Natural Snowshoes:** Snowshoe Hare has huge, furry back feet that helps them walk on deep snow without sinking and reach food. - **Leaping Escape Artist:** Snowshoe Hare can make incredibly fast zig-zag leaps because of powerful leg muscles that helps them escape predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 41-52 cm - **Weight:** 0.9-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-8 - **Gestation:** 35-40 days ## Diet & Feeding These plant-eaters munch on various plants, twigs, and bark, especially in winter. - **Primary Foods:** twigs, bark, leaves, grasses, buds, berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Canada Lynx](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-lynx) (*Lynx canadensis*) — a primary food source for lynx - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — a common predator of hares - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — hunts hares from the sky - **Depends on:** [White Spruce](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-spruce) (*Picea glauca*) — eats bark and twigs in winter - **Depends on:** [Balsam Fir](https://www.snappit.app/explore/balsam-fir) (*Abies balsamea*) — shelters and provides food ## 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. - [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. - [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. - [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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 hare, watch quietly from a distance and don't try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Snowshoe 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 Snowshoe Hare? 41-52 cm ### How much does Snowshoe Hare weigh? 0.9-2 kg ### How long does Snowshoe Hare live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Snowshoe Hare move? 45 km/h ### What does Snowshoe Hare eat? These plant-eaters munch on various plants, twigs, and bark, especially in winter. ### Where is Snowshoe Hare usually found? Forest and tundra ### How does Snowshoe Hare hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Leadville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leadville-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Lower Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [E.C. Manning Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-c-manning-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Garibaldi Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garibaldi-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Alaska Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-zoo) — Alaska, US · Zoo - [AMK Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/amk-ranch) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Snowshoe Hare](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/snowshoe-hare) ## Watch - [Play video: Snowshoe Hare](https://www.snappit.app/videos/snowshoe-hare) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=NC_ff7emvgQ) ## 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: [Snowshoe Hare: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snowshoe-hare)