 Snowshoe Hare Bunnies |
Snowshoe Hare Bunnies |
September 8, 2010Arcticulates ®Focusing on Alaska's BeautyAuthor: K. FieldsSnowshoe Hare BunniesWe have been clearing a lot of dead trees from the property this summer, and while cutting down a insect ridden tree, six little bunnies started hopping all around us. We had never noticed them while we were walking around the area. The colors on these bunnies help them to blend into the ground so much that we didn't see them, and we had almost dropped a tree on top of them. After we discovered the nest, we pushed the tree to fall over in a different direction to spare them. Tho I question the wisdom in that... as the nest was not that far from my garden area. Wild Snowshoe Hare Bunny
The interesting thing about these little bunnies, is that being born in the Hare family means they are born with a full coat of fur, they can see and can fend for themselves quite quickly. Which I guess they would have to... because they are born in nests above ground or in shallow depression in the ground. Snowshoe Bunny: Snuggles
Snowshoe Hare are all over Alaska. They thrive well in the wild terrain, and do very well during the winter months, their fur color changes from brown to white so they blend into the snow covered terrain that we experience in the winter months here in Alaska. Another Website with information on Snowshoe Hairs: Snowshoe Hair Information It is extremely hard to find a Snowshoe Hare nesting place. It is so well hidden in the leaves and bramble, that practically the only way to find one is like we did, which was to stumble upon it while cutting down trees and brush. Snowshoe Bunny: Tiny Handful
These baby bunnies are very tiny, not much bigger then the palm of my hand. They didn't seem fearful at all when handled, tho we only picked them up to take a few pictures and then released them back in the wild. Their ears are so tiny about the half the size of my thumb nail. They were very alert, and very quick, when released they disappeared in the wooded area in a matter of seconds. They will no doubt find each other quickly, but the thing is when they are older they will be off by themselves or in pairs. They do not nest in groups like some rabbits do, nor do these amazing environmentally adjusting Hares breed with Rabbits. Snowshoe Bunny: Tiny Ball of Fluff
We went back a week later to check out the area and see if the nesting area was still there, and not to our surprise... it wasn't. I am sure that they moved it to another area far away from where we were. But then again, it is very hard to find them so I could be wrong, and they may have been in the same area, only we couldn't see them. More information on Hares: More information on Snowshoe Hares Snowshoe Hares all look alike, there is no distinguishing marks that makes one stand out from another, and you cannot tell by looking at them which is the female or male. Even when fully grown they still look exactly alike. Snowshoe Bunny: Brothers or Sisters?
These amazing bunnies that we have in a old wheelbarrow in the picture above will grow to a fully grown Wild Hare that doesn't look so sweet and cuddly.. I find it amazing that only people do not have domesticated Hares, nor do they breed them, but they do Rabbits. Some years depending on the breeding cycle here in Alaska we seem to have zillions of Hares hopping around, but other times they are scarce, this year I have seen a few. As strange as it seems I see more Hares in the winter then I do in the summer. I guess the variegated brown color in their fur blends in quite well amongst the trees and brush. Whereas in the winter when their fur is all white, the little black tips on the ears and black eyes catch your eye quicker when moving on the white snow backdrop. Snowshoe Hare: Fully Grown
Another interesting thing about Hares are they are usually bigger and have longer ears then Rabbits, they also seem to look more muscular then the soft plump Rabbits. They are called Snowshoe Hare because of their long large back feet. These big feet help balance their weight when sitting on the snow, which keeps them from sinking. They also have fur on the bottoms of their feet which acts as an insulator from the cold. They eat the twigs and bark on the trees in the winter. In the summer they feed on grass, twigs, and leaves. Snowshoe Hare: Blending In
I like seeing the Hares hopping around, I have seen Eagles swoop down from seemingly no-where and pick up a Hare that I didn't even notice within 20 feet from me. It is amazing how they blend into their surroundings so effortlessly, and also equally amazing that the eye of the Eagle can spot them while flying. Nature! It never ceases to amaze me. Later... K Fields See Also: Morphing Naturally!
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