The Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) is uniquely suited to Earth’s challenging Arctic environment. This mammal navigates landscapes often defined by ice and snow. Its existence highlights a remarkable capacity for survival, and its ability to endure severe cold and scarce resources makes it a compelling subject for understanding life in polar regions.
Arctic Hare’s Global Range
Arctic hares inhabit the northernmost parts of North America, including Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Islands. Their distribution extends throughout northern Canada, reaching as far south as Newfoundland and Labrador. This species primarily lives above the northern treeline, though some populations move below it during winter. Their wide distribution underscores their adaptability to diverse high-latitude environments.
Life in the Frozen Tundra
Arctic hares prefer specific environments within their extensive range. They primarily inhabit treeless tundra, including plateaus and rocky mountainous regions. These landscapes are characterized by sparse vegetation and permafrost, presenting considerable challenges for survival. Arctic hares can be found at various elevations, from sea level up to 900 meters (3,000 feet). These habitats offer enough cover to support plant growth and prevent excessively deep snow, crucial for foraging.
Built for the Cold: Survival Adaptations
The arctic hare has physical and behavioral adaptations to thrive in its harsh environment. Its thick, highly insulating coat changes color seasonally in many parts of its range. Hares in southern areas grow a white coat in winter for camouflage against snow and a blue-gray coat in summer to blend with rocks and vegetation. However, hares in the northernmost regions often remain white all year due to persistent snow cover. This camouflaging fur also aids insulation, retaining body heat.
Physical Adaptations
Arctic hares have a compact body with shorter limbs and ears, reducing surface area for heat loss. Their heavily padded, fur-covered paws provide insulation, distribute weight like snowshoes on soft snow, and offer improved grip on ice.
Behavioral Adaptations
When food is scarce, they dig through snow to find buried vegetation, using their keen sense of smell to locate mosses, lichens, and woody plants. Primarily herbivores, they consume arctic willow, mosses, and berries, but may scavenge on fish or other meat when necessary. During severe cold, they dig burrows into the ground or snow for shelter, escaping winds and gaining insulation. They also huddle in groups, sometimes numbering in the dozens or thousands, to generate collective body warmth and enhance predator detection. They can reach speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour (40 mph) when fleeing predators, using their powerful hind legs for swift escapes.