Snowshoe Hare

Lepus americanus

Who really invented snowshoes? Early Native Americans were masters at observing nature and most likely got the idea from the Snowshoe Hare. These large rabbits are well suited for their environment. The color of their coat changes seasonally to help them hide against predators. They shed their brown summer coat for a white winter coat. They are also unusual in that they have a nine-year population cycle that brings them from extreme abundance to near disappearance.

Look For : A hare with a white coat in winter or a brown coat in summer. It has large white hind feet that look like snowshoes.

Length : Body 14-18" long, tail 1-2" long; 2-3 lb.

Habitat : Northern spruce-fir forests and balsam swamps.

Range : Alaska and most of Canada south to northern California, New Mexico, northern Minnesota, New Jersey, and southward through Allegheny Mountains.