Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus)
A hare found in North America primarily in boreal forests, active all year around. The fur is rusty-brown in summer and white in the winter. It feeds on grass, plants in summer and can be seen feeding on dead animals in winter.
Common Names
| 🇨🇦 | Snowshoe Hare |
| 🇫🇷 | Lièvre d'Amérique, Lièvre variable, Lièvre à raquettes |
| 🇩🇪 | Schneeschuhhase |
| 🇲🇽 | Liebre americana |
Taxonomy
| Order | Lagomorpha |
| Family | Leporidae |
Characteristics
| Length | 40-50cm |
| Weight | 1.5-2.5kg |
Best Locations and Seasons for Sightings
Cannot be seen around Montreal. To see this species, you have to go more remote, towards the North where you find boreal forests.
Identification and Similar Species
Very similar to Cottontail Rabbit but missing the white tail and back legs are proportionally significantly larger, almost the length of half of the body. Also, the fur is more homogenous than Cottontail Rabbit. Primary characteristic is the lack of the white tail though.
All content on this page — including photos, videos, and field audio recordings — was created by Karl-Heinz Müller, a Montréal-based wildlife filmmaker, sound recordist, and photographer. Founder of MUUUH and Québec Sauvage, he has spent over a decade documenting Canada’s natural habitats through immersive soundscapes and wildlife films. Learn more about Karl-Heinz
Last updated: 2024-12-19