Any novice zoologist is well aware that the Arctic hare is a hare well adapted to living in mountainous and polar regions. It has adapted well to the harsh northern climate, and for life it chooses mainly wastelands and bare areas of land.
Brief description of appearance
Average length An adult four-kilogram individual reaches 55-70 centimeters. By analogy with most of its relatives, the Arctic hare has a small fluffy tail and powerful long hind legs, allowing it to quickly jump through deep snow. The animal’s head is adorned with relatively short ears, and its body is covered with thick fur, which helps it better withstand sub-zero temperatures. Hares living in the far north have a white coat. Individuals inhabiting other regions acquire a grayish-blue hue in summer, thanks to which they are easily camouflaged as local vegetation and rocks.
Where does this species live?
The Arctic hare inhabits the northernmost regions of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Greenland. It can also often be found in na This animal is equally at home in highland and lowland areas. In summer, hares choose areas where vegetation grows quickly. In winter, they move to secluded corners where they do not need to dig deep to get food. They try to avoid wet meadows, preferring to settle in drier areas.
The Arctic hare can make seasonal migrations. Thus, hare hare living in Rankin Inlet move from the mainland to small islands in late spring. The main reason for this relocation is considered to be the smaller number of predators living there.
What does the arctic hare eat?
The Arctic hare belongs to the category of herbivores. The basis of its diet consists of woody plants. He can also feast on grass, leaves, berries and buds. The animal has a well-developed sense of smell, so it can easily dig up roots and willow twigs hidden under a layer of snow.
In addition, there have been recorded cases of the Arctic hare eating bark, sedge, lichens, mosses and even meat from hunting traps. It can also eat tidal algae. When eating, the hare tries to lean on its hind legs, raking the snow with its front legs, under which edible vegetation is hidden. After eating, they always clean their fur. To get food hidden under a hard layer of snow, the animal hits it with its powerful paws and then begins to gnaw at the ice crust.
Features of reproduction
The mating season usually falls in April-May. At this time, whites split into pairs, but one male can have several females at once. The hare, having chosen a secluded place behind rocks or under a bush, digs a hole there and lines it with fur and grass. Average duration The female's pregnancy lasts 36-42 days. The closer to the north, the later the hares are born.
In a litter, as a rule, there are from four to eight babies, each weighing 56-113 grams. They are born already sighted, and their bodies are covered with gray-brown hair. Just a few minutes after birth, babies are already able to jump. Two-week-old bunnies become more independent and no longer need their mother so much. By September they look like their parents, and the following season they begin to reproduce.
Features of behavior
Unfortunately, this aspect of the white hare’s life has been studied much less well compared to its relatives. It is known for certain that the Arctic hare is a nocturnal and crepuscular animal. It does not hibernate in winter because it tolerates low temperatures due to thick fur and a low ratio between the area and volume of its body. It is thanks to this feature that the hare’s body manages to compensate for the slowdown in basal metabolism.
In particularly severe frosts, hares hide behind boulders or in dug holes. They live in relatively small areas, so they go in search of food along the same paths. To escape from predators, these animals can rush at a speed of about 60 km/h.
The arctic hare is the largest of all hare species. Outwardly, it resembles a rabbit, but has longer ears. The animal is perfectly adapted to life in a cold region. Winter temperatures of minus 30 degrees do not frighten him. Habitat: tundra of Greenland and northern Canada. The hare does not live in Alaska. The weight of the animal is 4-5 kg, body length ranges from 60 to 70 cm. It is impossible to distinguish the female and the male externally. Depending on the time of year, the fur changes color. It is light brown or gray in summer and white in winter. In the polar regions of Canada, the animal “wears” a white coat all year round.
This is a very fast and playful animal. When running, the polar hare reaches a speed of 65 km/h. It has very long and strong hind legs. He is repelled by them simultaneously. But with its front paws it touches the ground one by one. They are crowned with very strong claws. With them, the animal breaks the frozen ground or a dense snow coat and gets to the food. Prefers to live in areas with little snow cover. He also does not like swampy areas, and has a very negative attitude towards dampness. At the same time, the hare swims well and can cross small rivers.
The hare's eyes are positioned in such a way that he can examine his surroundings without turning his head. This serves him well in protecting himself from predators. The animal has many enemies. The same arctic fox is not averse to eating hare meat; the polar wolf and ermine also do not deny themselves this pleasure. Young hares are hunted by snowy owls. So you won’t envy the animal. He must take care of both food and his own safety.
The average lifespan of a polar hare is 5 years. He eats plant foods. In winter, these can be lichens, woody plants, and moss. The animal gets them from under the snow. In warm seasons, it eats berries, leaves, tree bark and plant roots. The hare does not disdain meat. Having found the corpse of a small animal, it eats it without leaving a trace.
The mating season occurs in the spring months. This is April and May. During this period, the animals split into pairs. Sometimes a male gets two or more representatives of the fairer sex. The female makes a hole for herself. She looks for a protected place somewhere behind a rock or large stone and digs a hole in the ground. The bottom is covered with leaves and pieces of its own fur.
Pregnancy lasts about one and a half months. Females living further north give birth on average a week later. There are from 2 to 8 hares in a litter. They grow very quickly and already in September they catch up with the size of their parents. By the spring of next year, the young generation is ready to reproduce.
The polar hare can live either alone or in a flock. Very often animals unite in large groups. They can number tens, hundreds and even thousands of individuals. There are no leaders in such formations. In addition, they are very unstable and quickly disintegrate. In winter, hares live on the mainland. In the spring they move to numerous islands located to the north. They reach them on the ice that has not yet melted. There are no predators on the islands - this is the main reason for migration. To protect itself as much as possible, the hare prefers a nocturnal lifestyle.
Since ancient times, American Indians have hunted white animals. They ate meat, and the fur was used to make clothes. So you can add people to the inveterate enemies of the little polar inhabitant. But the hare is much less afraid of two-legged creatures than the same wolves and arctic foxes. You can hide from people in the snow. The white fur coat serves as an excellent camouflage. And a predatory animal can smell a hare. No fur coat can save you here. In such situations, only strong, long hind legs help out. But closer to old age, the polar hare weakens and becomes easy prey for predators of all stripes.
Photo-www.nature.ca
Arctic hare- Lepus arcticus
The Arctic hare, or arctic hare, is a close relative of the European-Asian mountain hare, which lives in the Alps, Iceland, Scotland, Scandinavia, and other tundra and forest areas of Europe, as well as Siberia and Western Alaska. It has been introduced into the Faroe Islands; there is none in Iceland. Habitats are varied: from shrub tundra and taiga forests to forest-steppe. The mountain hare, common in the subarctic and arctic regions of Alaska, Canada and Greenland, is distinguished as a special species: the arctic hare. In turn, it is, although not particularly substantiated, divided into a number of subspecies, for which many transitional forms are known. Two such subspecies are found in Greenland: L. a. porsildi - in the southwestern part of the island, south of Disko Bay, and L. a. groenlandicus in Northwestern, Northern and Northeastern Greenland. The latter is distinguished by slightly protruding front teeth, which is more characteristic of the Ellesmere Island hare (L. a. monstrabiiis). This feature is not present in young hares, and it even reduces the chewing ability of adult hares, but is apparently an adaptation to nibbling on low-growing northern cereal plants.
The Arctic hare has been known in Greenland since ancient times, and its bones have been found during the exploration of many ancient Eskimo settlements. It is not found in South-East Greenland from Cape Farwell to Cape Dolton, which is located slightly south of Scoresby Sound. On this coast in winter there is too much snowfall and heavy snow cover. Distributed in North-East Greenland, and in many places in large numbers. The peak in numbers was observed in 1930-1933. Then hares could be seen in large herds of up to 100 individuals each. During these same years, the number of musk oxen and wolves increased. The winter of 1933/34 was difficult for the wildlife of Northeast Greenland. The number of hares has decreased several times. In subsequent years it fluctuated greatly, but did not reach its previous value. Currently, in winter, hares gather in flocks of 10-30 animals, and in good feeding years - somewhat more. They stay in places where they can feed: most often on south-facing mountain slopes.
The Arctic hare is widespread in Peary Land and along the entire northern coast. In the Tule region there are especially many of them in the mountains covered with grassy vegetation, where in some years 300-400 hares are shot per autumn (before the onset of the polar night). There are no hares near Melville Bay: the snow here in winter is too deep. In Western Greenland they are occasionally found near Upernavik, south of which their numbers increase. Hares prefer to stay in areas with wild reindeer or sheep breeding areas in winter. Obviously, it is easier for them to find food in those areas where these animals have already dug up the snow with their hooves. There are few hares on low sea shores. They are more common near mountains and even at the edges of continental ice.
Arctic hares living in the north of their range are larger than their southern relatives. On Ellesmere Island they weigh on average 0.5kg more than in nearby Thule. The average length of adult hares in the Thule area is 52.9 cm, on Ellesmere Island - 55.9 cm. The average weight is 3.55 and 4.2 kg, respectively. The larger size of northern individuals can be explained by more stable feeding conditions and greater availability of winter food.
Hares feed on green parts of plants, willow and birch bark. They often cause damage by eating young birch shoots in forest areas cultivated in the Julianekhob area. In winter, Arctic hares break through the hard snow crust, vigorously using their paws until the vegetation cover is exposed. Hares often eat their own feces. Recycling of rough food in the gastrointestinal tract allows it to be used more fully nutrients, especially vitamin B 12.
Mating occurs in April - May. At this time, males often fight, and shreds of their fur can be seen on the bushes. The gestation period for hares in Greenland is estimated to be approximately 7 weeks. In June-July 5-8 cubs are born. In the northern regions of the island, the hare brings only one litter per year, in South-West Greenland sometimes two. Hares are born covered with thick dark gray fur, which makes them completely invisible against the background of tundra vegetation. They hide all day, and in the evening the mother comes and feeds them milk. After just 6-7 days, the rabbits begin to eat grass and must take care of themselves. Soon their fur becomes light gray, and in September, when they grow up, it turns white.
Winter fur is silky, pure white. Only the tips of the ears are black. The summer outfit of Arctic hares is not entirely the same in different parts of the range: where there is snow, it is whiter. Most hares in summer have a light gray back, gray head and ears. Young hares are slightly darker in color than older ones.
The Arctic hare is a crepuscular and nocturnal animal, but can remain awake during the day. In Northern Greenland, it is most active during the polar day, when the sun is low above the horizon. The hare chooses a comfortable place to sleep, usually near a rock, under the protection of stones. If it rises, it is easy to see against a dark background. In winter, the Arctic hare digs a deep hole in a snowdrift. The entrance to it is located in such a way that the wind does not enter the shelter. The length of the hole is usually about 1 m. The hare uses it day after day until it changes its resting place. In summer, it stays in its permanent territory and can make long journeys from daytime roosts to places where it feeds. Hares often use certain paths. These hare trails are very characteristic of the Greenlandic landscape.
In uninhabited areas of Greenland, the hare is not afraid of humans, and you can approach it within one step. If he runs away, he often stops and rises on his hind legs to look at the troublemaker. He still looks around for a while, but soon calms down.
The hunt for the Arctic hare used to be carried out mainly with snares, which were placed on the paths between the stones. Now they are more often shot with shotguns or rifles. In the “hare” years, hunting for them gives good results. Hare meat is prized in Greenland, although it contains little fat. (Without adding fat to this meat, it cannot be eaten after fasting.) Stockings are made from hare skins in the northern regions: one such stocking requires two skins. In the Upernavik area, hare hunting is open from August 1 to April 30. Other areas have their own hunting seasons. The hare is protected in Northeast Greenland National Park.
The Arctic hare, or arctic hare (Latin: Lepus arcticus) has adapted to life in the Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland. The local population traditionally uses its meat for food, and its fur for sewing outerwear.
Young hares are the main source of protein for many predators in the Arctic. The lucky ones who managed to survive the dangerous periods of childhood and adolescence become practically inaccessible to polar foxes and birds of prey. They master the art of masterly escape and camouflage to such an extent that they even often come very close to a person’s home. Confident in their intellectual superiority and dexterity, they study with interest the habits of homo sapiens.
The species was first described in 1819 by John Ross, a navigator and Arctic explorer.
Behavior
Arctic white hare live in tundra and mountainous areas at altitudes up to 900 m above sea level. The main criteria for their choice of place of residence is the presence of vegetation during the short Arctic summer and not too much a large number of snow in winter. Animals must be able to make holes in the snow to get to moss, lichens and plants.
In the absence of access to plant food, they switch to animal food, and can even extract meat from hunting traps. In summer, polar hares love to feast on berries and young grass.
The legs, especially the front ones, are relatively long and strong. With their help, hares easily cope with the crust and get to the desired food under the snow. They chew through icy crusts with incisors, which are stronger and longer than those of their related common hare.
Arctic hare hare lead a predominantly solitary lifestyle, but can periodically gather in groups of up to 300 individuals. Such groups always have their own sentries, vigilantly monitoring the environment and sounding an alarm at the slightest danger.
While escaping, the hare reaches speeds of up to 65 km/h. It is interesting that hares living in more northern regions always start running on their hind legs, and then switch to regular four-legged running. If necessary, they can swim across small rivers.
Feeding takes place at dusk and at night. Animals usually feed in the same area and migrate only in extreme cases. During their solitary period, hares defend their territory from their relatives. They stand on their hind legs and box each other with their front legs. The fight is accompanied by grabbing and scratching, but noble duelists do not allow themselves to bite.
Reproduction
The mating season begins in April and can last, depending on climatic conditions, until mid-September. In warm summers, the female can have two litters. Pregnancy lasts from 36 to 42 days. White hare save married couples before the appearance of offspring. Having seen his offspring, the father loses all interest in his family and goes in search of a new female.
The female brings from 2 to 8 cubs. The nest is usually located in rock crevices or under stones. The inside is lined with dry grass and moss. The expectant mother always insulates him with her own down. For the first three days after the birth of the babies, the female remains constantly with them. After this, they can come out of hiding and carefully explore the surrounding area.
At the age of 2-3 weeks, babies become quite independent, so the mother visits them only for feeding. They consume up to 50 g of milk per day. Milk feeding stops in the second month of life.
By September, the hares grow to the size of adults, and in the spring of the following year they reach sexual maturity.
Description
The body length is 40-63 cm, and the weight ranges from 3 to 6.8 kg. Males are externally indistinguishable from females. The further north hares live, the larger their size. In winter, hare whites wear dazzling white fur. Only small edges on the ears remain black.
In the southern regions of their range, polar hares acquire gray-bluish fur in the summer, and only the tail remains white. The underfur is thick and greyish. There may be different shades of summer color.
The lifespan of the Arctic hare in natural conditions is about 7 years.
The Arctic hare is a hare mainly adapted to living in polar and mountainous areas. Previously it was considered a subspecies of the mountain hare, but is now recognized as a separate species.
The Arctic hare is distributed throughout the tundra regions of Greenland and in the most northern parts Canada: Newfoundland and Labrador in the southeast, the Mackenzie River delta in the west, and the Arctic islands up to the northernmost point of Ellesmere Island.
Inhabits both highland and lowland regions. In summer they prefer areas where vegetation quickly grows during a short summer, and in winter they prefer sheltered places where they do not have to dig deep to get food. Prefer naked land and heathlands, avoid wet meadows and are more willing to settle in drier areas.
On average, it reaches a length of 55 - 70 cm, weighs about 4 - 5.5 kg. Like other hares, it has a small fluffy tail (5 cm) and long, powerful hind legs, which allow it to jump through the snow at high speed. Its ears are relatively short, which reduces heat transfer. It has fur that allows it to withstand the cold well. In the far north it is white all year round, with only black tips to its ears. In other places, in summer it has a grayish-blue color (disguising itself as local rocks and vegetation), but the tail remains white, and by winter it turns white again. The time of molting depends on the area. There are many varieties of intermediate color. The undercoat is gray and dense. Males and females do not differ in appearance. Northern individuals tend to be larger. On the paws, especially on the front ones, the claws are elongated and curved. Hares use them to dig out dense snow. Their incisors are longer and straighter than those of most hares. They are used to crack frozen Arctic plants, and Greenland hares have sharper incisors. Arctic hare have a total of 28 teeth. The hind legs are four-toed, the front legs are five-toed. The hind legs are covered with yellowish thick and rough skin. Their special digestive system allows them to digest food twice.
There are large eyes on the sides, thanks to which the animal can see almost 360° around itself without turning its head. The pupils are round, the iris is reddish-brown in color. Black eyelashes provide good protection from the sun. Arctic hare have a highly developed sense of smell, and their nose and nostrils are constantly in motion. The sense of smell is used to find food and identify the scent of other individuals. The hare's long fluffy ears can move in different directions and when they hear a sound, they turn to find its source.
It is believed that they live for about 5 years.