The Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) is a mammal uniquely adapted to survive in the extreme cold environments of the Arctic tundra. This creature inhabits the northern regions of North America, including Canada, Greenland, and Newfoundland. Living predominantly above the northern tree line, the Arctic hare is primarily a herbivore, relying on the sparse vegetation of its habitat. Its diet is essential for survival in this landscape.
Primary Food Sources
The Arctic hare’s diet centers on the common flora, consuming various plant materials. Woody plants, such as willow, dwarf birch, and heather, form a significant portion of their intake. Willows, particularly Arctic willow, are often a primary food source, constituting a large percentage of their diet year-round.
Beyond woody plants, Arctic hares also consume mosses, lichens, grasses, and sedges. As opportunistic feeders, they eat what is most readily available. This includes buds, berries, leaves, and roots.
Seasonal Dietary Changes
The Arctic hare’s diet shifts considerably throughout the year, adapting to the dramatic seasonal variations in food availability. During the brief Arctic summer, when fresh vegetation is abundant, their diet diversifies significantly. They consume succulent plant parts like fresh shoots, leaves, buds, and berries. Studies indicate that summer diets can include a high proportion of legumes, such as Astragalus alpinus and Oxytropis maydelliana, and other plants like Solidago virgaurea, Carex spp., and Cornus suecica.
As winter arrives and the landscape becomes covered in snow, the Arctic hare’s diet transitions to more resilient food sources. They rely heavily on woody twigs, bark, and roots, often digging through snow to access buried plant material. Birch, for example, can make up a substantial portion of their winter diet, ranging from 46-62%, despite its lower nutritional value compared to other options. Juniper and willow also remain important, though their consumption is influenced by their accessibility under varying snow depths.
Foraging Adaptations
Arctic hares possess physical and behavioral adaptations to find and access food. Their strong claws, particularly on their hind legs, are well-suited for digging through packed snow to reach hidden vegetation. This allows them to uncover roots, twigs, and other plant matter buried beneath the frozen surface.
A keen sense of smell is another adaptation, guiding them to locate food sources concealed under layers of snow. Arctic hares can also stand on their hind legs, a behavior that allows them to scan their surroundings for predators and reach higher branches or plant parts. Their thick, white winter coat provides camouflage, helping them blend into the snowy landscape while foraging.
Hydration Strategies
Arctic hares have developed strategies to meet their water needs where liquid water can be scarce. During summer, they primarily obtain water directly from the succulent vegetation they consume. The high water content of fresh plants contributes to their hydration.
In winter, when fresh plant sources are limited and most water is frozen, Arctic hares may eat snow or ice to supplement their fluid intake. Their metabolic processes also produce water, contributing to their hydration. Woody plant materials, a large part of their winter diet, also contain some water.