Arctic HareLepus arcticusWhere and when to see them

The Arctic hare inhabits Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, where its compact shape and dense coat help conserve heat. It is not the hare found throughout every Arctic country. Northern populations may remain white year-round, while farther south the summer coat becomes brownish or gray. Long hind limbs provide rapid escape across open ground, and black ear tips remain a useful feature against both snow and pale summer fur.

Size

43-70 cm body length

Weight

2.5-5.5 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Arctic hares spend much of their time feeding or resting in sheltered depressions among rocks and snow. They may gather in large groups, particularly outside the breeding season, although individuals also forage alone. When alarmed, a hare can rise upright to inspect its surroundings before bounding away. Young are born furred and with open eyes, allowing them to remain concealed separately while the mother returns for brief nursing visits. They possess an exceptional ability to conserve heat, aided by their compact body shape and thick fur. When threatened, they can reach speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour to escape predators like Arctic foxes and wolves. Arctic hares communicate through thumping their hind feet on the ground, a signal of alarm to other hares.

• Its natural range is centered on Greenland and Arctic Canada.
• Far-northern populations can retain white fur throughout summer.
• Newborn young, called leverets, already have fur and open eyes.
• Adults sometimes assemble in groups numbering dozens or more.

June through August generally provides the most practical coastal tundra access within its range. White animals can stand out against snow-free ground in northern areas, but seasonal coat changes vary geographically. Winter observation requires specialized local arrangements rather than ordinary summer coastal travel. Prime viewing opportunities often coincide with late spring and early autumn when animals may still exhibit transitional or partial white coats. Local guides can advise on specific timing for viewing areas where hares are reliably present. Remember that weather conditions can change rapidly in the Arctic, impacting excursion plans.

The species occupies treeless tundra, rocky slopes, polar desert and coastal plains in Greenland and northern Canada. It favors landscapes with accessible vegetation and shelter from wind. Snow conditions influence winter feeding access, while exposed ridges can offer both forage and resting places. They are particularly adapted to extremely cold, windswept environments, often found in areas with permanent snow cover. Their high tolerance for cold allows them to inhabit some of the most barren arctic landscapes. This species is an important part of the food web in these harsh northern ecosystems.

Woody plants, especially willow stems, buds and bark, are important winter foods. Summer feeding includes grasses, sedges, flowers and other tundra plants. Like other hares, Arctic hares reingest soft fecal pellets to extract additional nutrients from fibrous vegetation through a second digestive passage. In spring, they excavate snow to access mosses and lichens, crucial when other forage is scarce. Their strong claws are well-suited for digging through packed snow and ice to reach buried vegetation. This dietary flexibility is key to their survival in a resource-limited environment.

Common name

Arctic Hare

Scientific name

Lepus arcticus

Animal group

Mammals

Size

43-70 cm body length

Weight

2.5-5.5 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Compared with snowshoe hares, Arctic hares are generally larger with proportionally shorter ears, but separation from other northern hares also requires accurate geographic context. Arctic hares are distinguished from Arctic foxes by their larger size, upright posture, and absence of a bushy tail. Their winter coat is almost entirely white, except for small black tips on their ears. Unlike rabbits, they do not dig burrows but create shallow scrapes for shelter.