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Snowshoe Hare (Varying Hare) | |||
Lepus americanus | |||
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| What's it sound like? | Animal Sound 1
Sound 2
Sound 3 | ||
| Identification | |||
A mid-sized hare with large feet and ears. Hind feet spread to form snowshoes for travel on top of deep snow. Fur changes from brown to white in winter for camouflage giving it the alt. name of “varying hare”. Reuse trails and tracks. Irregular landings of forefeet and rear tracks have high variations in form. | |||
| Description | |||
| Population cycles approximately every decade with food and predatory fluctuations are more pronounced in the northernmost range of this hare. Generally found in thick cover near swamps and variegated hardwood forests within range. Most active in early morning and dusk hours as well as nocturnally throughout the year. As many as five litters of 1-8 babies (leverets) are born annually beginning in late winter after 35-40 day gestations. | |||
| Adjective: | leverine, leporine | ||
| Family: | Leporidae | ||
| Latin Name: | Lepus americanus | ||
| Genus: | Lepus | ||
| Order: | Lagomorpha | ||
| Group: | down, husk, warren | ||
| Other Names: | Varying Hare, Varying Rabbit, Snowshoe Rabbit | ||
| Weight: | 900-2200 g | ||
| Total Length: | 350-525 mm | ||
| Tail Length: | 25-60 mm | Track Information | |
 Hind Track |
 Front Track |
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| Max Print Length (CM): | 8.5 | ||
| Min Print Length (CM): | 8.5 | ||
| Max Print Width (CM): | 13 | ||
| Min Print Width (CM): | 2.5 | ||
| Max Print Straddle (CM): | 25 | ||
| Min Print Straddle (CM): | 10 | ||
| Print Size: | Medium | ||
| Print Type: | Digitigrade | ||
| Track Notes: | Track Notes: Nails may be present in tracks. Hind much larger than front. | ||