Arctic Hare vs Snowshoe Hare

Arctic Hare vs Snowshoe Hare – A Comprehensive Comparison for Wildlife Enthusiasts

The Arctic hare and the snowshoe hare are two fascinating species that thrive in some of North America’s harshest environments. Often mistaken for one another due to their similar snowy habitats and white winter coats, these hares are distinct in their adaptations, behaviors, and lifestyles. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a student of biology, or simply curious about these fluffy creatures, understanding the differences between the Arctic hare and the snowshoe hare can deepen your appreciation for nature’s adaptability.

We’ll explore their physical characteristics, habitats, diets, behaviors, and more, helping you distinguish these remarkable lagomorphs. We’ll also recommend ways to observe them in the wild and answer 11 frequently asked questions to clarify common curiosities.

Introduction to Arctic and Snowshoe Hares

Hares belong to the family Leporidae, which includes both hares and rabbits, but hares are distinct for their larger size, longer legs, and ability to thrive in diverse environments. The Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) and the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) are two species well-adapted to cold climates, yet they’ve evolved unique traits to survive their specific habitats. The Arctic hare roams the treeless tundra of the far north, while the snowshoe hare is a denizen of boreal forests. Both undergo seasonal coat changes for camouflage, but their differences in size, behavior, and ecological roles set them apart.

This blog post dives into the key distinctions between these hares, drawing from scientific insights and expert observations. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to tell them apart, understand their survival strategies, and appreciate their roles in their ecosystems. Let’s hop into the details!

Physical Characteristics: How to Tell Them Apart

Arctic Hare

• Size: Arctic hares are significantly larger, measuring 43–70 cm (17–28 inches) in length, not including a 4.5–10 cm (1.8–3.9 inch) tail. They weigh 2.5–7 kg (6–15 lbs), with some individuals reaching up to 7 kg.
• Fur: In winter, their coat is brilliant white for camouflage against snow, turning blue-gray or gray-brown in summer in most regions. In the far north, where snow persists year-round, their fur remains white. The fur is 30% denser than that of snowshoe hares, providing superior insulation.
• Ears: Shorter ears (62–70 mm) minimize heat loss, a critical adaptation for Arctic climates. The ears have black tips, and the hares are born with black eyelashes that act like sunglasses against snow glare.
• Feet: Large, flat hind feet act like snowshoes, preventing sinking in deep snow. Their front feet have long, strong claws for digging through hard-packed snow to find food.
• Body Shape: Compact and rounded, with 20% of their body mass as fat, helping them conserve heat.

Snowshoe Hare

• Size: Smaller, ranging from 41.3–51.8 cm (16.3–20.4 inches) in length, with a 3.9–5.2 cm (1.5–2.0 inch) tail. They weigh 1.2–2 kg (2.6–4.4 lbs), typically around 1.5 kg.
• Fur: Their fur changes from rusty or grayish-brown in summer to white in winter, with black-tipped ears and a gray underbelly year-round. The seasonal molt takes about 10 weeks, triggered by day length. In regions with little snow, like coastal British Columbia, they may remain brown year-round.
• Ears: Longer ears (62–70 mm) compared to Arctic hares, with black edges, aiding in heat regulation in less extreme climates.
• Feet: Large, furred hind feet (11.7–14.7 cm) act like snowshoes for navigating deep snow in forests. The toes spread widely to increase surface area.
• Body Shape: Slender and less compact, suited for quick dashes through dense forest undergrowth.

Key Physical Difference: The Arctic hare is larger, heavier, and more compact with denser fur and shorter ears, built for extreme Arctic cold. The snowshoe hare is smaller, with longer ears and a slimmer build, adapted for forest agility. Their winter coats are similar, but the snowshoe hare’s summer brown coat and black ear tips are distinctive.

Habitat and Range

Arctic Hare

• Habitat: Arctic hares inhabit the treeless tundra, plateaus, and rocky coasts of northern Canada, Greenland, and Alaska. They are found from sea level to 900 m (3,000 ft) in elevation, preferring open, rocky, or mountainous areas with sparse vegetation.
• Range: Northernmost regions, including the Canadian Arctic islands, Ellesmere Island, northern Quebec, Labrador, and Greenland. They’ve been spotted as far south as Washington, D.C., indicating occasional long-distance travel.
• Adaptation to Habitat: Their compact bodies, dense fur, and snowshoe-like feet are ideal for surviving harsh Arctic winters, where they dig burrows under snow or ground for warmth.

Snowshoe Hare

• Habitat: Snowshoe hares thrive in boreal forests, upper montane forests, and wetlands with dense understory vegetation, such as young trees, shrubs, or conifers. They prefer areas with thick cover for protection from predators.
• Range: Found across North America, from Newfoundland to Alaska, south to the Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains, and Appalachian Mountains. They’ve been extirpated in southern regions like Ohio and Maryland. Introduced to Newfoundland between 1864 and 1876.
• Adaptation to Habitat: Their large hind feet and slender build allow quick escapes through forest undergrowth. Well-maintained trails or “runways” help them navigate their territory.

Key Habitat Difference: Arctic hares live in open, treeless tundra, while snowshoe hares prefer dense boreal forests. Their ranges overlap in northern Canada, but they occupy distinct microhabitats—rocky tundra vs. forested areas.

Diet and Feeding Habits

Arctic Hare

• Diet: Primarily herbivorous, with 95% of their diet consisting of Arctic willow year-round. They also eat saxifrage, crowberry, dwarf willow, lichens, mosses, roots, berries, and buds. In summer, legumes dominate (70% of diet). They occasionally consume meat, such as fish or caribou stomach contents.
• Feeding Behavior: They dig through snow with strong claws to access buried plants, using their keen sense of smell to locate food. They practice coprophagy (eating their own feces) to extract more nutrients from low-quality food.
• Adaptation: Their strong jaws and specialized digestive systems handle tough, fibrous plants. Eating snow provides hydration in water-scarce environments.

Snowshoe Hare

• Diet: In summer, they eat grasses, ferns, leaves, clovers, strawberries, fireweed, and berries. In winter, they switch to twigs, buds, bark, and evergreen needles from trees like spruce, pine, and willow. They may eat small mammals (voles, mice) or carrion opportunistically.
• Feeding Behavior: They forage at dawn and dusk in dense cover, avoiding open areas. They re-ingest soft fecal pellets to maximize nutrient absorption.
• Adaptation: Their two pairs of upper incisors cleanly sever small twigs (3–4 mm diameter), and their varied diet adapts to local forest types.

Key Diet Difference: Arctic hares rely heavily on Arctic willow and tougher plants, with occasional meat consumption, suited to sparse tundra vegetation. Snowshoe hares have a more varied plant-based diet, reflecting the diversity of boreal forests, with rare carnivorous behavior.

Behavior and Social Structure

Arctic Hare

• Social Behavior: Arctic hares are generally solitary but form large groups (up to 300 individuals) in winter for predator detection and shared digging efforts. They may huddle in groups for warmth.
• Activity: Crepuscular and nocturnal, most active at dawn and dusk. They remain active year-round, using body posture (e.g., tucking ears and feet) to conserve heat.
• Movement: They can run up to 60 km/h (40 mph) and hop on hind legs like kangaroos for long distances. Their dodging and leaping abilities help evade predators.
• Adaptation: Lowered basal metabolic rate and high locomotive efficiency conserve energy in low-food environments.

Snowshoe Hare

• Social Behavior: Mostly solitary, relying on camouflage and speed rather than group defense. They maintain intricate trail networks for quick escapes.
• Activity: Crepuscular and nocturnal, feeding actively at dawn and dusk. They rest in “forms” (shallow depressions under cover) during the day and remain active in winter.
• Movement: Capable of speeds up to 43 km/h (27 mph) with rapid direction changes, ideal for navigating dense forests. They use hopping or shuffling gaits.
• Adaptation: Their shy, secretive nature and reliance on dense cover minimize predator encounters. Population cycles (7–17 years) are driven by predation and food availability.

Key Behavior Difference: Arctic hares form large winter groups for survival, while snowshoe hares are solitary, relying on stealth and forest cover. Arctic hares are faster and more mobile over open terrain, while snowshoe hares excel in agility within forests.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Arctic Hare

• Breeding: Reproduce once per year, with a gestation period of about 46 days. Litters of 5–7 leverets are born in late spring (May–June).
• Development: Leverets are born fully furred with open eyes, able to move shortly after birth. They reach maturity by their first year.
• Survival: High predation rates and harsh conditions limit lifespan to about 3–5 years in the wild.

Snowshoe Hare

• Breeding: Breed 2–4 times per year, starting in mid-March, with a gestation period of about one month. Litters range from 3–8 leverets, with the second litter often the largest.
• Development: Leverets are born fully furred and mobile, reaching maturity after one year. Many don’t survive past their first year due to predation. Lifespan is up to 5–6 years, though most die younger.
• Survival: Survival rates vary by litter (e.g., 46%, 15%, and 43% for first, second, and third litters in Yukon). Predation by small mammals like red squirrels is a major cause of mortality.

Key Reproduction Difference: Snowshoe hares have multiple litters annually, leading to rapid population growth, while Arctic hares produce one litter, suited to the short Arctic summer. Snowshoe hare populations cycle dramatically, unlike the more stable Arctic hare populations.

Predators and Survival Strategies

Arctic Hare

• Predators: Wolves, foxes, polar bears, snowy owls.
• Survival Strategies: Dense white fur for camouflage, group behavior for predator detection, high speed (60 km/h), and digging burrows for shelter. Their low surface area-to-volume ratio and dense fur minimize heat loss.

Snowshoe Hare

• Predators: Canada lynx (primary predator), owls, foxes, martens, red squirrels, Arctic ground squirrels. Their population cycles are closely tied to lynx populations.
• Survival Strategies: Seasonal coat changes, large hind feet for quick escapes, dense forest cover for hiding, and well-maintained trails for navigation. They’re silent but may squeal when caught or click during breeding.

Key Predator Difference: Arctic hares face predators suited to open tundra, using group vigilance and speed. Snowshoe hares rely on forest cover and agility to evade a broader range of predators, with lynx being their primary threat.

Population Dynamics

• Arctic Hare: Populations are relatively stable, with fluctuations less dramatic than snowshoe hares. No extensive cyclic data exists, but they’re considered common in their range.
• Snowshoe Hare: Undergo dramatic 7–17-year population cycles, peaking every 10 years on average, with densities reaching 1,500 per km². Crashes are driven by predation, disease, and plant toxins from overbrowsing.

Key Population Difference: Snowshoe hare populations fluctuate widely, impacting predator populations like lynx, while Arctic hare populations are steadier, reflecting their harsher but more stable environment.

Observing Arctic and Snowshoe Hares in the Wild

• Arctic Hare: Best observed in Arctic regions like northern Canada, Greenland, or Alaska’s tundra. Look for them at dawn or dusk in open, rocky areas. Binoculars or telescopes help spot their movement against snow or rocks. Guided tours in places like Greenland offer safe viewing opportunities.
• Snowshoe Hare: Common in boreal forests across Canada and the northern U.S., especially in dense undergrowth. Check for tracks or runways in snow, and observe at dawn or dusk. Denali National Park or Adirondack Park are great spots.
• Tips: Move slowly, stay quiet, and avoid sudden movements. Wear neutral colors to blend in, and use a camera with a good zoom for photography. Respect their space to avoid stress.

Conservation Status

• Arctic Hare: No specific conservation status (COSEWIC: No status). They’re common in their range, but habitat loss from climate change may pose future threats.
• Snowshoe Hare: Common and secure across their range, with no major conservation concerns. Their introduction to Newfoundland was successful, and their cyclic populations sustain predator ecosystems.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arctic Hare vs Snowshoe Hare

1. Are Arctic hares and snowshoe hares the same species?

No, they are distinct species within the Leporidae family: Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). They share similarities but differ in size, habitat, and adaptations.

2. How can I tell an Arctic hare from a snowshoe hare in winter?

In winter, both have white coats, but Arctic hares are larger (up to 7 kg vs. 2 kg), with shorter ears and a more compact body. Snowshoe hares have black-tipped ears and a slimmer build.

3. Why do their coats change color?

Both hares change color for camouflage: white in winter to blend with snow, and gray-brown (Arctic) or rusty-brown (snowshoe) in summer to match vegetation or soil. The molt is triggered by day length.

4. Where do Arctic and snowshoe hares live?

Arctic hares live in treeless tundra in northern Canada, Greenland, and Alaska. Snowshoe hares inhabit boreal forests from Alaska to Newfoundland, extending south to the U.S. mountains. Their ranges overlap in northern Canada but not in specific habitats.

5. What do they eat?

Arctic hares primarily eat Arctic willow, supplemented by lichens, mosses, and occasional meat. Snowshoe hares eat grasses, leaves, and berries in summer, switching to twigs, bark, and needles in winter. Both practice coprophagy for nutrient absorption.

6. How fast can they run?

Arctic hares can reach 60 km/h (40 mph), with long-distance hopping capabilities. Snowshoe hares hit 43 km/h (27 mph), excelling in quick, agile dashes through forests.

7. Do they live in groups or alone?

Arctic hares are solitary but form large groups (up to 300) in winter for survival. Snowshoe hares are mostly solitary, relying on forest cover for protection.

8. How do their populations change over time?

Snowshoe hare populations cycle every 7–17 years, peaking at high densities before crashing due to predation and food scarcity. Arctic hare populations are more stable, with less dramatic fluctuations.

9. What are their main predators?

Arctic hares face wolves, foxes, polar bears, and snowy owls. Snowshoe hares are preyed upon by Canada lynx (primary), owls, foxes, martens, and small mammals like squirrels.

10. How do they survive harsh winters?

Arctic hares use dense fur, fat reserves, burrowing, and group huddling to stay warm. Snowshoe hares rely on furred feet, forest cover, and forms for insulation, remaining active in snow.

11. Can I observe them in the wild?

Yes! Arctic hares are best seen in tundra regions like northern Canada or Greenland at dawn/dusk. Snowshoe hares are observable in boreal forests, such as Denali or Adirondack Park, using tracks to locate them. Use binoculars and move quietly.

Conclusion

The Arctic hare and snowshoe hare are remarkable examples of evolutionary adaptation to cold environments, yet their differences highlight the diversity within the hare family. The Arctic hare’s larger size, denser fur, and tundra lifestyle contrast with the snowshoe hare’s smaller, agile build and forest-dwelling habits. From their seasonal coat changes to their unique survival strategies, these hares showcase nature’s ingenuity. Whether you’re tracking their snowy trails or marveling at their speed, understanding these differences enriches your connection to the wild.

Ready to explore their habitats? Grab your binoculars, head to the tundra or boreal forest, and witness these incredible creatures in action. Their resilience and adaptability are sure to inspire awe!