Where does the Arctic hare live and eat?

It is well known to any beginning zoologist that the arctic whitefish is a hare well adapted to existence in mountainous and polar regions. It is well adapted to the severe northern climate, and for life chooses mostly wasteland and bare land.

Brief description of appearance

The average length of an adult four-kilogram individual reaches 55-70 centimeters. By analogy with most of its relatives, the Arctic hare has a small fluffy tail and powerful long hind legs, allowing it to quickly jump over deep snow. The head of the animal is decorated with relatively short ears, and the body is covered with thick fur, which helps to better tolerate negative temperatures. Hare, living in the far north, have a white fur coat. Individuals inhabiting other regions in the summer acquire a gray-blue tint, due to which they easily masquerade as local vegetation and rocks.

Where does this species live?

The Arctic hare inhabits the northernmost regions of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Greenland. Also, it can often be found in Labrador, Newfoundland and Ellesmere Island. This animal is equally well arranged in high-altitude and low-lying areas. In summer, hares choose areas in which vegetation grows rapidly. In winter, they move to secluded corners, in which one does not need to dig deep to get food. They try to avoid wet meadows, preferring to settle in a drier area.

Arctic hare can make seasonal migrations. So, the white dwellers, who live in Rankin Inlet, move from the mainland to the small islands at the end of spring. The main reason for this migration is the smaller number of predators living there.

What does the polar hare eat?

The Arctic whale belongs to the category of herbivores. The basis of its diet is made of woody plants. He can also eat grass, leaves, berries and kidneys. The animal has a perfectly developed scent, so it is easy to dig up roots and willow rods hidden under the snow layer.

In addition, there were recorded cases that the Arctic hare consumed bark, sedge, lichens, mosses and even meat from hunting traps. Also, he can eat algae carried by the tide. During the meal, the whitefish tries to lean on the hind legs, raking up the front snow, under which the edible vegetation is hidden. After eating, they must clean their fur. To get food, hidden under a hard layer of snow, the animal strikes it with its powerful paws, and then begins to gnaw the ice cake.

Features of reproduction

The mating period usually falls in April-May. At this time, whites are split into pairs, but one male may have several females at once. Zaychikha, choosing a secluded place behind the rocks or under a bush, digs out a hole and lays it with fur and grass. The average duration of pregnancy of the female is 36-42 days. The closer to the north, the later the bunny is born.

In a litter, as a rule, there are from four to eight kids, the weight of each of which is 56-113 grams. They are born already sighted, and their body is covered with gray-brown hair. After just a few minutes after the birth of the kids are already able to skip. Two-week-old bunnies become more independent and do not so much need a mother. By September they are becoming like their parents, and the next season they begin to multiply.

Features of behavior

Unfortunately, this aspect of the life of a whitefish has been studied much worse than its relatives. It is known for certain that the Arctic hare is a night and twilight animal. He does not hibernate in the winter, because he is well tolerated by low temperatures due to thick furs and a low ratio between the area and the volume of his body. It is thanks to this feature that the body of the whitefish manages to compensate for the slowing down of basal metabolism.

In particularly severe frosts, hares are hidden behind boulders or in excavated burrows. They live in relatively small areas, so they seek the same food for the search for food. Escaping predators, these animals can rush at a speed of about 60 km / h.