Snowshoe Hare

Snowshoe hare hiding amongst grass and rocks.

NPS/Jim Peaco

 

Snowshoe hare track

Scientific Name

Lepus americanus

Number in Yellowstone

Common in some places

Where to See

Norris Geyser Basin area

Identification

• 14.5–20 inches long, 3–4 pounds.
• Large hind feet enable easy travel on snow; white winter coat offers camouflage; gray summer coat.
• Transition in seasonal fur color takes about 70–90 days; seems to be triggered in part by day length.

Habitat

• Found particularly in coniferous forests with dense understory of shrubs, riparian areas with many willows, or low areas in spruce-fir cover.
• Rarely venture from forest cover except to feed in forest openings.
• Eat plants; uses lodgepole pine in winter.
• Preyed upon by lynx, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, weasels, some hawks, and great horned owls.

Behavior

• Breed from early March to late August.
• Young are born with hair, grow rapidly and are weaned within 30 days.
• Docile except during the breeding season when they chase each other, drum on the ground with the hind foot, leap into the air, and occasionally battle .
• Mostly nocturnal; their presence in winter is only advertised by their abundant tracks in snow.