The Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) belongs to the hare family. It is one of the agile and resilient creatures of the cold tundra and snowy regions. One of the most distinctive features that sets them apart from other hares is their short ears and thick, densely furred bodies. Additionally, thanks to their strong and wide hind legs, they can run swiftly on snow and leap over long distances.

What Colour Are They?

The fur colour of Arctic hares changes depending on the season. In winter, it turns completely white to blend in with the snow, while in summer their fur is usually grey or brown. This change protects them from predators and allows them to camouflage themselves in their environment.

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How Big Do They Grow?

Arctic hares range in length from 43 to 70 cm. They usually weigh between 3 and 5.5 kg.

Life Cycle and Social Behavior

They usually roam alone. However, in winter, they sometimes gather in groups to keep each other warm and support each other—a kind of ‘snowy friendship group’!

Their babies are called leverets. They are born in April–May (according to some sources, this can extend until midsummer). Two to eight babies are born at a time. They can run shortly after birth and are able to give birth to their own young by the age of one!

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What Do They Eat?

Arctic hares mainly eat plants. Their favorite foods include mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrub shoots found beneath the snow. Sometimes they also eat fruit and plant bark.

Where Do They Live?

Arctic hares live in cold, snowy regions, particularly in northern Canada, Greenland, and the Arctic tundra. They prefer treeless, rocky, snow-covered areas, where they can find food and escape from predators.

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Contributions to the Ecosystem

Arctic hares dig up plant roots and shoots while searching for food under the snow. Sometimes they do not consume the plants they eat completely or leave some roots behind. This allows the plants to grow again and enriches the vegetation cover of the tundra. Thus, Arctic hares contribute to the plant diversity of the ecosystem in which they live.

Conservation Status

Arctic hares are listed as ‘least concern’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This indicates that their populations are currently healthy and widely distributed in the wild.