MAMMALS OF OHIO f i e l d g u i d e

LAGOMORPHA
description
Hares are larger than rabbits. Their
hind feet can be up to seven inches
long and have webbing between the
toes. Their feet act like snowshoes to
allow the hare to stay on top of the
snow while running and jumping.
During the winter, snowshoe hares
have a thick white coat that helps
them blend in with the snow. In the
spring, they shed their winter fur
and grow thin brown summer fur.
habitat
Hares are found in open fields, fence
rows, swamps, riverside thickets,
cedar bogs, and coniferous lowlands.
reproduction
Females may have up to four litters
a year, depending on environmental
conditions. The young hide in
separate locations during the day
and only come together for a few
minutes at a time to nurse. The
female cares for the young until they
are about four weeks old, when they
are weaned and disperse.
Snowshoe Hare
© Ohio Division of Wildlife
Lepus americanus
30
did you know?
Hares and rabbits are different in
several ways: Young hares are born
with fur, open eyes, and are able to
run (precocial), but rabbits are born
almost hairless with eyes closed
(altricial) and don’t leave the nest for
several weeks.