" YOU can help make a difference, get involved... "
PCO Press Room
Sponsors
Past Events
COP15
Link to PCO
Arctic Hare
last update: Feb 24, 2009 06:36 PM
Latin name: Lepus arcticus
Longevity: approx. 3-5 years
Population: unknown
Cites classified: Least Concern
Where found: Arctic hare are distributed through the tundra of Canada from Newfoundland and Labrador to the Mackenzie delta of the Northwest Territories. They are also found on arctic islands and in Greenland.
Length: 20-29 inches long
Weight: 3-7 kg
Mating/Breeding: Unlike many mammals, arctic hare groups disperse rather than form during mating season. Animals pair off and define mating territories, though a male may take more than one female partner. The young are born in late May, June, or July, depending on where they live. The farther north they are, the later the babies are born. Females may produce a second litter in one season. Litter size is from four to eight babies. The mother does not leave the young for the first 2 to 3 days after birth. By the third day the young are able to protect themselves by lying still and hiding; they resemble rocks when they are motionless. The young become somewhat independent of the mother at 2 to3 weeks, meeting her only to nurse.
Hibernation: don’t hibernate
Aggressive?: Individuals may fight. They do not bite, but tend to box, scratch, and snap at one another.
Feed on: The Arctic Hare mainly eats woody plants. It eats buds, berries, leaves and the meat in hunters’ traps as well. It has a keen sense of smell and may dig for willow twigs under the snow
Predators: Arctic hare are the food for Snowy Owls, other birds of prey, wolves, foxes, weasels and polar bears
Colour/Body: it is white year-round and a frosty blue grey colour in summer but the tail remains white. The claws of the arctic hare, especially those of the forefeet, are elongate and curved.
Interesting Trivia:
- Arctic hares can reach speeds of 64 km per hour
