Snowshoe Hare

Snowshoe Hare

Taxobox
name = Snowshoe HareMSW3 Hoffmann | pages = 195]
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Lagomorph Specialist Group | year = 1996 | id = 41273 | title = Lepus americanus | downloaded = 2006-05-06 Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern]


image_width = 200px
image_caption = Summer morph
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Lagomorpha
familia = Leporidae
genus = "Lepus"
species = "L. americanus"
binomial = "Lepus americanus"
binomial_authority = Erxleben, 1777

The Snowshoe Hare ("Lepus americanus"), also called the Varying Hare, is a species of hare found in North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because its back feet are so big, it looks as though it is wearing big shoes to walk in the snow. The animal's big feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks.

For camouflage, its fur turns white during the winter and rusty brown during the summer. Its flank are white year-round. The Snowshoe Hare is also distinguishable by the black tufts of fur on the edge of its ears. Its ears are shorter than those of most other hares.

In summer, it feeds on plants like grass, ferns and leaves; in winter, it eats twigs, the bark from trees, and buds from flowers and plants and, along with the Arctic Hare, has been known to steal meat from baited traps. [cite web
title = Snowshoe Hare
work = eNature: FieldGuides
publisher = eNature.com
date = 2007
url = http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?curFamilyID=556&curGroupID=5&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=2
format = HTML
accessdate = 2008-03-23] It is sometimes seen feeding in small groups. This animal is mainly active at night and does not hibernate.

The Snowshoe Hare may have up to 4 litters in a year which average 2 to 4 young. Males compete for females and females may breed with several males.

There are six subspecies of this hare:
*"Lepus americanus americanus"
*"Lepus americanus bairdii"
*"Lepus americanus cascadensis"
*"Lepus americanus dalli"
*"Lepus americanus struthopus"
*"Lepus americanus virginianus"

References

External links

* [http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?cid=8&id=103 Hinterland Who's Who]
* [http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek//critter/mammal/hare.htm Environmental Education for Kids!: Critter Corner]
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/fauna3/fauna10d2.htm National Park Service]
* [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lepus_americanus.html Snowshoe hare] at "Animal Diversity Web"


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  • snowshoe hare — n. [from its broad feet, which are heavily furred in winter] a large hare (Lepus americanus) of N North America whose coloration changes from brown in summer to white in winter: also snowshoe rabbit …   English World dictionary

  • snowshoe hare — amerikinis baltasis kiškis statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Lepus americanus angl. snowshoe hare vok. Schneeschuh Hase rus. американский беляк; американский заяц; малый беляк pranc. lièvre américain;… …   Žinduolių pavadinimų žodynas

  • snowshoe hare — a large footed North American hare, Lepus americanus, that is white in winter and dark brown in summer. Also called snowshoe rabbit, varying hare. [1885 90] * * * or snowshoe rabbit or varying hare Northern North American species (Lepus… …   Universalium

  • snowshoe hare — noun large large footed North American hare; white in winter • Syn: ↑snowshoe rabbit, ↑varying hare, ↑Lepus americanus • Hypernyms: ↑hare …   Useful english dictionary

  • snowshoe hare — noun Date: circa 1890 a hare (Lepus americanus) of northern North America with heavy fur on the hind feet and a coat that in most populations is brown in the summer but usually white in the winter called also snowshoe rabbit, varying hare …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • snowshoe hare — (N. Amer. also snowshoe rabbit) noun a North American hare with large hairy hind feet, fairly small ears, and a white winter coat. [Lepus americanus.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • snowshoe hare — snow′shoe hare n. zool. mam a large footed North American hare, Lepus americanus, that is white in winter and dark brown in summer Also called snow′shoe rab bit,varying hare • Etymology: 1885–90 …   From formal English to slang

  • snowshoe hare — noun a North American hare, Lepus americanus, that has large, furry feet; its fur is white in winter and brown in summer …   Wiktionary

  • Snowshoe (disambiguation) — Snowshoe can refer to *Snowshoe, a type of footwear. *Snowshoe, Michigan, a town in Michigan, USA. *Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, a town in Pennsylvania, USA. *Snowshoe, West Virginia, a town in West Virginia, USA. **Snowshoe Mountain, a ski resort… …   Wikipedia

  • snowshoe rabbit — noun large large footed North American hare; white in winter • Syn: ↑snowshoe hare, ↑varying hare, ↑Lepus americanus • Hypernyms: ↑hare * * * noun Etymology: so called from the large, heavily furred feet in winter pelage …   Useful english dictionary

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