Snowshoe Hare-pardy

Background Search

100

^{Large webbed feet that resemble a snowshoe allow for improved flotation on deep snow.}
_{(Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2021)}

_{[Snowshoes, Cree Nation]}

Name origin.

200

^{Coniferous and boreal forests of the Northern United States and Canada.}
_{(National Wildlife Federation, 2021)}

Geographical range/living range.

300

^{In coniferous forests found in cold climates, the trees' thick underbrush and bushes provide plenty of places to hide from predators.}

^{(Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2021)}

Habitat for the Snowshoe Hare.

400

                ^{Low        High}

^{Winter     -54° C     -1° C}

^{Summer    -7° C     21° C}

Taiga seasons/temperatures.

That's Life for You

100

^{Grasses, flowers, and new growth from trees (bark, twigs).}
_{(Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2021)}

Snowshoe hare diet.

200

^{Born with a full body of fur and already-opened eyes, these kits are able to hop around and search the forest floor for food about five minutes after birth.}

^{(Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2021)}

Hare are not rabbits, which are born naked and depend on the mother for weeks.

300

^{Sexual maturity at age ~1♂/♀, and 1-month gestation periods up to 4 times a year for litters up to 8 kits, are components of this biological schedule.}
_{(Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2021)}

Life History.

400

^{Lynxes, foxes, coyotes, and birds of prey like owls and hawks.}
_{(Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2021)}

Prey-Predator relationship.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

100

^{Enhanced nonshivering thermogenesis, increased sensitivity to norepinephrine and epinephrine, and an increase in the maximum metabolic rate during winter.}

_{(Sheriff, Michael J, 2009)}

What is homeostasis?

200

^{Shortened limbs and ears and a tiny nose that reduce heat loss, and a thick coat, and 20% body fat serve to preserve heat.}
_{(Kiprop, 2021)}

Winter-specific characteristics.

300

^{Guard hairs 36% longer and 148% denser in winter than autumn, and 128% denser same-length downy hairs in winter than autumn.}
_{(Sheriff, Michael J, 2009)}

How's my hair?

400

Speeds up to 45 km•h^-1 and the ability to quickly change direction.

_{(Kripop, 2021)}

Surviving/escaping predators.

Set the World on Fire

100

^{This becomes difficult for the snowshoe hare at increased winter temperatures.}

_{(Common Sense, BCE— )}

Snow slurry is a terrible insulator and structural material.

200

^{Brown in summer, and white in winter.}

_{(Zimova, Mills, et. al., 2016)}

Blending in is important.

300

^{Mismatched coat-to-environment colors have led to a 7% weekly survival decrease in observed snowshoe hare populations.}
_{(Zimova, Mills, et. al., 2016; Peers et al., 2020)}

You will get eaten if you cannot hide.

400

^{20% lower Average Resting Metabolic Rate and 32% lower thermal conductance in winter than in autumn.}
_{(Sheriff, Michael J. et al., 2009)}

These physiological processes are governed by seasonal cues and require lengthy acclimatization.