{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Snowshoe Hare
| status = LR/lc
| status_ref =
[Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern]
| image = Snowshoe Hare.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = Summer morph
| regnum =
Animalia
| phylum =
Chordata
| classis =
Mammalia
| ordo =
Lagomorpha
| familia =
Leporidae
| genus = ''
Lepus''
| species = ''
L. americanus''
| binomial = ''Lepus americanus''
| binomial_authority =
Erxleben, 1777
}}
The
Snowshoe Hare (''Lepus americanus''), also called the
Varying Hare, is a species of
hare found in
North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because its back feet are so big, it looks as though it is wearing big shoes to walk in the snow. The animal's big feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks.
For
camouflage, its fur turns white during the winter and rusty brown during the summer. Its underparts are white year-round. The Snowshoe Hare is also distinguishable by the black tufts of fur on the edge of its ears. Its ears are shorter than those of most other
hares.
In summer, it feeds on plants like grass, ferns and leaves; in winter, it eats twigs, the bark from trees and buds from flowers and plants. It is sometimes seen feeding in small groups. This animal is mainly active at night and does not
hibernate.
The Snowshoe Hare may have up to 4 litters in a year which average 2 to 4 young. Males compete for females and females may breed with several males.
There are six subspecies of this hare:
''Lepus americanus americanus''
''Lepus americanus bairdii''
''Lepus americanus cascadensis''
''Lepus americanus dalli''
''Lepus americanus struthopus''
''Lepus americanus virginianus''