The snowshoe hare is a medium-sized hare of North America’s boreal forests. It is a key prey species, and its population cycles affect the whole northern food web.
Interesting facts
- Its huge, furry hind feet work like snowshoes.
- Snowshoe hare numbers rise and fall in a 10-year cycle, which drives the cycle of Canada lynx.
- Its coat change is triggered by day length, not by snow.
- Leverets are born with fur and open eyes and can hop within hours.
- It can leap about 3 metres in a single bound.
- Lynx, foxes, coyotes, owls and hawks all depend on snowshoe hares.
Behaviour
Snowshoe hares are mostly nocturnal and solitary. They rely on camouflage and stay still to avoid detection, then flee in zigzags if discovered.
Breeding and young
Females can have several litters a year, each of about two to six leverets.
Threats and conservation
The species is common, but climate change is creating camouflage mismatches and reducing snow cover.
Where to see it
- Kluane National Park, Yukon, Canada
- Denali National Park, Alaska
- Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
- Rocky Mountain forests in Montana and Colorado
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
