Where Does The Arctic Hare Live?

Have you ever wondered where the arctic hare resides?

The arctic hare inhabits the North American tundra and has adapted to its seasons and weather patterns. However, it also exhibits specific traits that enable it to exist in and adequately fend for itself in these environments.

I’ve got you covered if you’re one of those curious minds wondering where the arctic hare calls home. I’ll also describe certain characteristics that make it possible to live there as well as its living circumstances.

Where Does The Arctic Hare Live?

The tundra is the specific environment where you can find the arctic hare. Yet you can still find it in most places where the cold temperature is present year-round. In particular, the tundra of North America is home to this critter.

You can virtually always see them covered in snow, and this has earned them the name polar rabbits. It is because they reside in regions where snowfall frequently occurs throughout the winter but not always.

Arctic hares dwell underground in snow-filled burrows that are off the ground. To go from their home to food sources, they also construct tunnels. They construct additional tunnels to stay cool when the snow melts in the summer. They constantly maintain proximity to a water source. I believe this is because they drink a lot.

Grass and herbs are what they typically eat, but if they need more protein or carbohydrates, you can also see them eating bark and twigs. From October to March, they hibernate, only emerging once or twice a week. They do this to consume lichen and mosses they had gathered throughout the summer.

How Do The Arctic Hare Survive In That Location?

The arctic hare’s survival in the area has its way of life, physical makeup, dietary patterns, and breeding habits aiding it. Here is an overview of how they assist the arctic hare in surviving its environment.

Also Read: How Arctic Hares Adapt the Cold and Harsh Conditions?

Diet and Nutrition

In the tundra, arctic hares consume a range of fruits and vegetables. They have a wide range of options, given that they have easy access to tree barks, roots, berries, leaves, and even tree buds.

To get fruit, they might have to dig through the snow, and as the months go by, they must eat as much as possible to maintain their health.

Arctic hares can only eat mosses, lichens, and woody plants. Due to a lack of food in the summertime, they can start eating the insides of dead animals.

Habits and Lifestyle

You can generally see arctic hares alone at night since they often prefer to be alone. When they move in great numbers, they warm themselves. However, they typically travel in droves since the weather can become highly abrasive.

Additionally, they have a feeding pack of up to 60 hares. They scatter fast to seek safety when they fear they are in danger.

Breeding

To prepare for mating, a male and female hare pair up. After they locate a location to mate, the male arctic hare leaves the female.

Once a year, during the breeding season, the female arctic hare gives birth to five to six young hares by herself.

The female hare, or mother, leaves them for longer than 18 hours every day until the ninth week. She only comes back to give them milk during the nine weeks. In the ninth week, they are weaned and given the freedom to exist independently.

Also Read: Amazing Fun Facts about an Arctic Hare!

Life Cycle

In the tundra, Arctic hares typically breed from April to May. Until they are nine weeks old and independent, young arctic hares are fed and cared for by their mother. In the same year, they give birth to their children between May and July.

After one year, the children can start reproducing. They can continue to live in their habitats for up to three to five years.

Predators

Arctic foxes, red foxes, and wolves are typically the main predators of arctic hares. A hare that perceives danger stands up while its front legs are raised and near the body. In this pose, they remain still while intently listening for any disturbance nearby. In this situation, they can, however, leap away. 

Also Read: What Do Arctic Hares Eat?

These hares can swim very well, and they are all tricky runners. Their little weight allows them to run at speeds of up to 64 km/h (40 mph) to avoid predators.

Living Conditions of Arctic Hare in Winter?

To stay warm, arctic hares need to find protected locations. It is why you can find them digging and living in burrows.

The burrows provide the arctic hares with cover from any potential attackers. Only one arctic hare is visible, and it is a female hare nursing her young.

Since they hibernate during the winter, they can tolerate the cold. But how do they endure in this hostile setting?

During the chilly winter months, Arctic hares are fortunate to hibernate. They lower their body temperature and heart rate. I understand it helps to preserve energy so they can survive in the cold without using much energy. It is because it helps their bodies slow down their metabolism. It saves energy that they would otherwise utilize to stay warm.

Living Conditions Of Arctic Hare Live In Summer? 

You might be surprised by the arctic hare’s summertime living situation! Although these little mammals prefer colder environments, they can survive in warmer ones if they have access to enough food. The arctic hare will bury itself in a small hole during the summer to get some shade and relief from the heat.

They burrow down far into the earth throughout the summer to escape the heat. They like to spend the daytime underground, where it is cool. They have been shielded from predators and bad weather thanks to this.

In the summer, the Arctic hare’s fur is grayish-brown. Aside from a black tip on its ears, it has gray fur in the summer. Short ears with black tips are present.

With all of their improvements, they can withstand the harsh and unpredictable summer weather in the north.

Can Arctic Hare Live In Warm Places? 

Arctic hares can survive in warm climates, although they do not do well there. Living in cold, temperate areas is beneficial for them.

Although Arctic hares can endure temperatures as high as 22.8 degrees Celsius, they thrive in milder areas between 0 to 13.9 degrees Celsius.

They can store food to eat during the colder months, and their fur helps keep them warm. They can obtain a large portion of their water from the plants they consume, but they occasionally sip a small amount of water from puddles or ponds.

To survive, they need their winter environment; if it changes too soon, they might not be able to adapt. They can’t survive in extremely hot climates without adapting. They can’t also survive in really cold climates for too long without risking illness and death.

The Arctic hare can endure a wide range of temperatures since it becomes accustomed to its environment over time. It can adapt to survive in extremely hot settings for certain periods, but it must relocate to cooler areas when it gets too hot.

Best Place to Live For Arctic Hare 

The tundra regions of North America are the ideal habitat for arctic hares. The hare can find enough food, shelter, and protection from the elements in the tundra’s natural setting. Additionally, it offers the hare adequate protection from wolves and bears. It is a fairly safe place for the animals to reproduce and raise their young. 

You can find a diverse range of animals and plants in the tundra, which also serves as a reliable food source for the animals that inhabit it.

Additionally, the tundra has an abundance of lush vegetation. It gives animals refuge and protection from the elements, and the snowy winters offer shade from the sun’s heat.

Conclusion

The tundra is the typical habitat for the arctic hare. It is because they receive very little precipitation. This little mammal has everything it needs to withstand the severe winter season in these areas.

The animals hibernate to save energy, but they can come out after the weather has warmed up, and the snow has melted.

This creature has a remarkable capacity for adaptation and will go to considerable efforts to live in its hostile habitat.