Montana Field Guide

This large lagomorph is characterized by large feet and ears. Its pelage is brown for most of the year, but becomes white in the winter. Its large hind feet allow it to move easily over the snow. This species is an important prey item form mid to large sized forest carnivores. Although its range extends into the river bottoms and draws of eastern Montana, it is most frequently observed in the montane forests within the western and central regions of the state.

Snowshoe Hares can be separated from cotton-tail rabbits by size and general morphology, and from jackrabbits by the white outer margin of the ear which is present year round but more distinct in summer.

Non-migratory.

In western MT, apparently preferred fairly dense stands of young pole-sized timber with some use of more open stands, openings, and edges (Adams 1959, Koehler et al. 1979). Uses dense riparian thickets in eastern Montana (Hoffmann et al. 1969).

Spring and summer: forbs and grasses. Fall and winter: more shrubs and sometimes conifer needles. Occasionally reingests feces. Sometimes eats sand (Adams 1959).

Home ranges may overlap (Adams 1959).

Breeding season late February to early July. First pregnancy noticeable in late March. Lactation from late April to late September. 2.8 to 2.9 litters/year. 2.6 to 3.0 young/litter (Adams 1959).