Behavior. The influences of predator odors on prey behavior include reduced feeding by deer … Snowshoe hare, (Lepus americanus), also called snowshoe rabbit or varying hare, northern North American species of hare that undergoes an annual colour change from brownish or grayish in summer to pure white in winter. These 8 interesting facts of the cute snowshoe hare is quite astonishing. Both predators showed clear functional responses to changes in the densities of hares. The courting ends with the hares touching noses in which copulation takes place shortly after. We used a natural experiment (Diamond, 1986) to evaluate the effect of moonlight on snowshoe hare predation rate and behavior in snowy and snow-free conditions. They have three different layers. 1995. The introduced hare was then recaptured and released into the wild. The hind feet are heavily furred, and all four feet are large in proportion to body size, a snowshoe-like adaptation that enables the hare to travel over snow. Food and Feeding Behavior: The snowshoe hare requires 300g (10.6 oz) of browse per day, and uses the two pairs of upper incisors to cleanly sever the twigs, buds, and bark of woody vegetation during the winter. The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. Reactions of the resident and non-resident hares were observed for 2-3 hours immediately after the intro- duction in the evening and for 2-3 hours more the following morning. [[[MacLulich, D.A. A passage from the VT Almanac describes the scene: On the afternoon of June 22, 1954, two very young Lepus americanus phaeonotus were brought to two of us (M. M. N., C. N.) at the Delta Waterfowl Research Station at Delta, Manitoba. this is a behavior because if it didn't it would be spotted by a predator and be killed to extinction. In this episode Mark and Curtis are joined by Dr. Yasmine Majchrzak and Dr. Michael Peers to talk all things snowshoe hare. Behavior. The snowshoe hare is appropriately named because it has very large back feet. 2005). During this courtship there is a series of chases and jumps and often the hares urinate on each other during the jumps (Kurta 1995). Introduction. Oikox 74: 69-80. ]]] The snowshoe hare has a body length of 36 – 52 centimetres and a tail length of 2.5 – 5.5 centimetres. Arctic hare’s claws are also helpful to dig food underground like to finds plants or roots. Snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus, undergo a ten-year population cycle. Snowshoe hare feet and ears are larger than those on the pygmy rabbit and mountain cottontail. Its feet also have fur on the soles to protect it from freezing temperatures. Snowshoe Hare Appearance & Behavior. Behavior. Mad as a March Hare refers to the mating behavior of hares and considering their antics there is little that is ordinary about it. And the final layer is a course outer hair that sheds. 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