The mountain hare

The mountain hare (Lepus timidus)

A charming creature, the Mountain Hare is a small mammal belonging to the Leporidae family. Also known as the Alpine hare is a species perfectly adapted to living in high mountains and extreme latitudes.

The mountain hare gets its name because its fur changes color during winter, transforming into a distinctive and mimetic white coat. The common hare is also found in our areas, and it is not easy to distinguish between the two species. In the summer, the coat has a grayish color, significantly less reddish than that of the common hare, and has shorter ears, distinguishing it from its relative. The two species can reproduce, giving rise to fertile hybrids.

Distribution and characteristics of the mountain hare

Distribution

The mountain hare is found in much of Northern Europe, and its distribution extends to Northern Asia, reaching Siberia and the northernmost islands of the Japanese archipelago. The population of the Arctic hare appears stable or, in some cases, slowly declining in many areas of the Alpine region, including the Natural Park of the Dolomites d’Ampezzo. In our country, it is present only along the Alpine arc, where it lives at an altitude ranging from 1000 to 3500 meters. During winter, the mountain hare is accustomed to frequenting lower altitudes, where it finds more excellent food resources and a milder climate. It behaves oppositely in the summer months.

Where to find the mountain hare in the Dolomites

In the Dolomites, the mountain hare lives in environments quite different from the vast tundras of Northern Europe, yet it has the same basic needs: cold temperatures, snow, quiet surroundings, and low vegetation.

It is most commonly found in the subalpine and alpine zones, generally between 1,800 and 2,500 metres, where the forest begins to thin out and gives way to more open landscapes.

The species favours areas of dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugo) and low shrubs, which provide both shelter and a reliable source of food. Alpine meadows and high-altitude grasslands are also ideal habitats, especially in winter, when snow covers the ground and camouflage becomes essential.

Another typical habitat includes rocky areas and scree slopes, where the hare can easily hide and escape predators. It can also be found near the upper tree line, in open larch and Swiss pine woodlands, which offer shelter and food during harsher periods.

In short, in the Dolomites the mountain hare is mainly found above the tree line, among dwarf pine areas, alpine pastures, and rocky terrain—cold, snow-covered environments for much of the year.

The mimicry of the mountain hare

The main characteristic of the mountain hare is the change in the color of its fur, which is almost entirely white in winter. Only the tips of the ears remain black. This thick fur allows it to withstand the low temperatures of its habitat. The shedding of the fur is stimulated by the changing daylight hours in the progression of seasons (see photoperiodism). In summer, after the spring molt, its color is gray-brown.
Mimicry is the primary weapon to combat alpine hare predators, including foxes, ermines, martens, polecats, lynxes, and birds of prey. The autumn molt begins in early October, and the fur whitens from the legs, becoming utterly white within a month.
In the Dolomites, other masters of mimicry are the white partridge and the ermine.

Size and weight of the mountain hare

The alpine hare is a medium-sized animal, with a body length ranging from 43 to 64 cm; the tail typically measures 5-8 cm, and the ears are 6-12 cm. The weight varies from 1.4 kg to 4.2 kg (females weigh 300-400 grams more than males). The sexes are similar.

The hind legs are longer than the front ones, and the feet are covered with thick fur, helping to prevent sinking into the snow. The footprints are very similar to those of the common hare but characterized by a wider support surface, resembling a snowshoe; the long toes, abundantly covered with fur, spread out maximally when the hare needs to move on powdery snow. Surprisingly, the long legs allow it to reach speeds of over 55 kilometers per hour.

Reproduction

The female Arctic hare can have one or two litters per year between April and September. Gestation lasts about 50 days, and at its conclusion, typically, 2 to 5 offspring are born, each weighing 70-130 grams. Thanks to very rapid development, they become self-sufficient within just four weeks. In nature, they reach the age of 5-8 years (max 12).

The mountain hare’s call

The hare and the rabbit do not emit vocalizations but can produce a kind of whimper. This sound is emitted in specific conditions, such as threats or during mating.

The mountain hare’s call

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Scientific classification of the mountain hare

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