Snowshoe Hare

The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) is a keystone species in the boreal forest of Banff National Park. Not a “true” rabbit; it is a hare (family Leporidae): young (leverets) are born precocious, fully furred with eyes open. Primary prey for Canada lynx and other apex predators; population cycles (8–11 years) drive lynx fluctuations.

Identification: Seasonal dichromatism; photoperiod-triggered moult. Summer: reddish-brown or gray-brown (crypsis against forest floor). Winter: nearly pure white (camouflage against snow). Black ear tips year-round. Large, densely furred hind feet (“snowshoe”) for travel over deep powder; speeds to 43 km/h with rapid directional changes.

Habitat and diet: Shrubby riparian, spruce-fir forest, boreal understory. Browsing on twigs, buds, bark in winter; creates visible “hare line” on vegetation. Coprophagy (re-ingesting feces) to extract nutrients from low-quality winter diet. Nocturnal and crepuscular; rely on “freezing” when camouflaged.

Climate change mismatch. Photoperiod-triggered moult does not respond to snow cover. Earlier snowmelt exposes white hares on brown terrain; “camouflage mismatch”; increasing predation (85–100% of adult mortality is predation). Predicted to worsen with warmer winters.

Reproduction. Breeding mid-March through summer; 2–4 litters/year; 3–4 leverets per litter. Annual survival 10–50%; maturity at 1 year.

Runs: The resort’s White Rabbit (Run #162) in the West Bowl is named for this animal.