Scientific Name: Lepus arcticus
Population: Unknown
Regions: Arctic
Destinations: Canada, Greenland
Average Length: Adult: Males: ~0.56 m (1.8 ft), Females: ~0.52 m (1.7 ft); Newborn: ~15 cm (0.5 ft)
Average Weight: Adult: Males: ~4.5 kg (9.9 lbs), Females: ~5 kg (11 lbs); Newborn: ~0.1 kg (0.22 lbs)
Diet Habits: Primarily feeds on woody plants such as grey willow, grasses, mosses, lichens, and other Arctic vegetation.
Females are typically slightly larger than males, and an adult Arctic hare size is around 3–6 kg (6.6–13.2 lbs) and 48–70 cm (1.6–2.3 ft), making them a relatively large hare breed. An Arctic hare baby weighs approximately 0.1 kg (0.22 lbs) and has a length of about 15 cm (0.5 ft).
These fluffy animals can be found in the Arctic tundra regions, particularly in Greenland and northern Canada. They were historically introduced to Svalbard but are now extinct there.
Perfectly adapted to tundra environments, arctic hare characteristics include:
These features are highly beneficial for these small animals to escape against predators and navigate the rocky tundra landscape.
Arctic hares are herbivores, and their diet changes depending on the season. During summer, the arctic hare diet consists of berries, buds, bark, leaves, and roots, while in winter, when food becomes scarce, they consume woody plants, lichens, grasses, and mosses.
They are the primary food source for many animals in the tundra food chain. Examples of Arctic hare predators include the Arctic fox, snowy owl, gyrfalcon, and grey wolf.
The difference between hares and rabbits is that hares are generally larger, faster, and have longer legs and ears than rabbits. Rabbits often burrow and give birth underground, with their young born blind and hairless, while hares are born fully furred, with open eyes, ready to move soon after birth. When faced with predators, hares prefer to run away, unlike rabbits, who tend to hide from them. Lastly, hares cannot be domesticated, whereas some breeds of rabbits can be.
The IUCN Red List states that Arctic hares are not endangered and are classified as 'Least Concern'.
Arctic Hare Fact #1:
Arctic hare habitat is the tundra as well as rocky mountainous areas.
Arctic Hare Fact #2:
The Arctic hare lifespan is, on average, 3–5 years in the wild
Arctic Hare Fact #3:
The Arctic hare population size is unknown.
Arctic Hare Fact #4:
Arctic hare eye positioning allows them to see behind without turning their heads.
Arctic Hare Fact #5:
Baby Arctic hares are known as leverets.
Arctic Hare Fact #6:
Arctic hare prey is inexistent since they are herbivores.
Arctic Hare Fact #7:
Arctic hare summer coat is grey-brown.
Arctic Hare Fact #8:
Baby hares (leverets) become independent quickly as part of their speedy arctic hare life cycle, running shortly after birth.
Arctic Hare Fact #9:
Arctic hare legs are long and robust, enabling it to escape from predators.
Arctic Hare Fact #10:
Short ears, noses, and tails are key Arctic hare adaptations that keep them warm in the cold Arctic.
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