Large lagomorph of northern boreal and arctic regions, distinguished from snowshoe hare by larger body, longer ears, and Eurasian–Beringian distribution (with limited Alaska–Yukon occurrence). Coat turns white in winter; summer pelage brownish-grey. Active mainly at dawn and dusk.
§ Quick facts
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium-large hare with brown back; white belly; turns white in winter.
Similar species. Arctic Hare (related). Snowshoe Hare (related).
Voice. Generally silent.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Tundra plants, grasses, sedges.
Behavior. Eurasian hare species; closely related to North American hares but never naturally occurred here. Included for context.
§ Range
Eurasian arctic and subarctic from Scandinavia across Siberia; introduced/edge presence in western Alaska.
§ Habitat
Tundra, boreal scrub, rocky open ground, alpine meadows; sea level to 4,000 m.
§ Threats
Climate-driven snow-cover mismatch increasing predation; hybridization with European hare at southern edge.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the mountain hare is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Boreal/tundra habitat protection, climate adaptation research, monitoring of coat-color phenology.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Lepus timidus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 11791
- iNaturalist · taxon 43152
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Lepus timidus
§ Sources cited
- IUCN Lagomorph Specialist Group
- IUCN Red List 2019
