Mountain Hare
The Mountain Hare, also known as the Blue Hare, Tundra Hare, Variable Hare, White Hare, Snow Hare, Alpine Hare and Irish Hare, is a large Palearctic hare species that is largely adapted to polar and mountainous habitats.
The Arctic Hare was once considered a sub-species of the Mountain Hare but it is now regarded as a separate species. Similarly, some scientists believe that the Irish Hare should be regarded as a separate species. Currently, 15 sub-species are recognised.
Whilst a large species, the Mountain Hare is slightly smaller than the European Hare. It grows to a length of 18 to 26 inches with a tail of 1.6 to 3.1 inches. Females are slightly heavier than males.
In summer, the Mountain Hare’s coat is various shades of brown but in preparation for winter it moults in to a white or largely coat. The tail remains completely white all year round, distinguishing the Mountain Hare from the European Hare which has a black upper side to the tail. The subspecies Irish Mountain Hare stays brown all year and individuals rarely develop a white coat.
The Mountain Hare is distributed from Fennoscandia to eastern Siberia and in addition there are isolated mountain populations in the Alps, Scotland, the Baltics, north east Poland and Hokkaidō in Japan. It has also been introduced to Iceland, Svalbard and the UK Peak District.
In northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden, the Mountain Hare and the European Hare compete for habitat. The European Hare, being larger, is usually able to drive away the Mountain Hare but it is less adapted for living in snowy regions since its feet are smaller and its winter fur is a mixture of white and brown. The Mountain Hare is better adapted for the snowier conditions of the inland and upland areas but the 2 species may sometimes co-exist in lowland or coastal areas.
The Mountain Hare is a favourite prey item of the Golden Eagle and may additionally be preyed on by Eagle Owls, Red Foxes and Stoats.
Date: 28th June 2019
Location: Neljan Tuulen Tupa near Kaamanen, Lappi, Finland
The Arctic Hare was once considered a sub-species of the Mountain Hare but it is now regarded as a separate species. Similarly, some scientists believe that the Irish Hare should be regarded as a separate species. Currently, 15 sub-species are recognised.
Whilst a large species, the Mountain Hare is slightly smaller than the European Hare. It grows to a length of 18 to 26 inches with a tail of 1.6 to 3.1 inches. Females are slightly heavier than males.
In summer, the Mountain Hare’s coat is various shades of brown but in preparation for winter it moults in to a white or largely coat. The tail remains completely white all year round, distinguishing the Mountain Hare from the European Hare which has a black upper side to the tail. The subspecies Irish Mountain Hare stays brown all year and individuals rarely develop a white coat.
The Mountain Hare is distributed from Fennoscandia to eastern Siberia and in addition there are isolated mountain populations in the Alps, Scotland, the Baltics, north east Poland and Hokkaidō in Japan. It has also been introduced to Iceland, Svalbard and the UK Peak District.
In northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden, the Mountain Hare and the European Hare compete for habitat. The European Hare, being larger, is usually able to drive away the Mountain Hare but it is less adapted for living in snowy regions since its feet are smaller and its winter fur is a mixture of white and brown. The Mountain Hare is better adapted for the snowier conditions of the inland and upland areas but the 2 species may sometimes co-exist in lowland or coastal areas.
The Mountain Hare is a favourite prey item of the Golden Eagle and may additionally be preyed on by Eagle Owls, Red Foxes and Stoats.
Date: 28th June 2019
Location: Neljan Tuulen Tupa near Kaamanen, Lappi, Finland
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Also in: North Finland - part 1
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