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Arctic hare Facts

Arctic hare Facts
Arctic hare is small mammal that looks like a rabbit. There are 4 subspecies of Arctic hare that can be found in the northern parts of North America and Europe, on Greenland and North Pole. Arctic hare inhabits cold and dry Arctic tundra. It can survive in extremely cold and harsh conditions. Even though Arctic hares were frequently hunted as a source of fur and meat in the past, they are still numerous and widespread in the wild.
Interesting Arctic hare Facts:
Arctic hare can reach 19 to 26 inches in length and 6 to 15 pounds of weight. Its tail is 1 to 3 inches long.
Arctic hare is covered with thick, white fur (only tips of the ears are black) during the winter and bluish-grey fur during the spring and summer. Tail is white-colored all year round.
Arctic hare has very large hind feet which facilitate movement across the snow (they act like snowshoes). Front feet are equipped with long claws which are used for digging of burrows in the ground and finding food hidden below the snow.
Thanks to its widely separated eyes positioned on the lateral sides of the head, Arctic hare can see what's going on both in front and behind it without having to move the head.
Arctic hare has black eyelashes which protect its eyes from damaging effects of sun glare during the winter.
Reduction in the size of ears (compared with other species of hares) represents adaptation to the life in very cold climate (short ears radiate less heat to the environment than large ears).
Arctic hare is an omnivore. Its diet is based on woody plants, mosses, lichens, leaves, buds and berries. Fish and meat are occasionally on the menu.
Arctic hare is very fast animal. It can reach the speed of 40 miles per hour and travel distance of 6.8 feet in a single leap.
Even though they do not hibernate during the winter, Arctic hares occasionally gather in groups in the underground burrows to keep each other warm.
Arctic hare can be solitary or live as a part of a group (from dozen to hundreds of animals). When it senses danger, Arctic hare inspects its environment erected on the hind legs.
Natural enemies of Arctic hares are snowy owl, ermine. Arctic fox, wolf and polar bear.
Couples formed during the mating season leave the rest of the group to establish their own territories.
Female produces one litter of 2 to 8 babies per season. Babies, called leverets, are born during the spring and early summer.
Young Arctic hares grow quickly and reach sexual maturity at the age of 6 months.
Arctic hare has an average lifespan of 4 to 5 years.


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