Snowshoe Hare
(Lepus americanus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List
LC - Least Concern
NatureServe
N5 - Secure
SNR - Unranked
Minnesota
not listed
Description
In summer, the fur is yellowish-brown to grayish-brown above with a blackish rump and a blackish line down the back from the neck to the rump. The nape of the neck is the same color as the back. The underparts are white. The outer tip of each ear is black. The tail is dark above, white below.
In winter the fur is white or pale gray except for dark eyerings and the black tip of each ear.
The rear feet are large. The soles of the feet are densely furred.
Size
Total length: 16″ to 20″
Head and body: 13″ to 18″
Tail: 1″ to 1½″
Ear: 3½″ to 4″
Sign
Similar Species
Habitat
Woods, thickets, coniferous swamps and bogs
Ecology
Behavior
It is active mostly from dusk through dawn, but also on cloudy days. It is mostly solitary excepot when populations are high.
Lifespan
5 years
Life Cycle
Food
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 12/19/2025). Timm, R. M. 1975. Distribution, natural history, and parasites of mammals of Cook County, Minnesota. Occasional Papers, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota 14:1–56. Hazard, Evan B. 1982. The Mammals of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 280 pp. The counties in light green lack modern records but have historic county or township specimens or records. |
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| 12/19/2025 | ||
Minnesota Varying Hare (Lepus americanus phaeonotus) is found throughout northern Minnesota. Varying Vare (Lepus americanus americanus) may be found in the forested parts of northeastern Minnesota. |
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Occurrence |
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Cyclical |
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Taxonomy
Class
Subclass
Theria
Infraclass
Placentalia (Placental Mammals)
Magnorder
Boreoeutheria
Superorder
Euarchontoglires (Primates, Rodents, and Allies)
Order
Lagomorpha (Lagomorphs)
Family
Leporidae (Hares and Rabbits)
Genus
Lepus (Hares and Jackrabbits)
Subordinate Taxa
Alaska Varying Hare (Lepus americanus dalli)
Bighorn Mountain Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus seclusus)
British Columbia Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus columbiensis)
Cascades Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus cascadensis)
Klamath Snowshoe Rabbit (Lepus americanus klamathensis)
Mackenzie Varying Hare (Lepus americanus macfarlani)
Minnesota Varying Hare (Lepus americanus phaeonotus) 
Nova Scotia Varying Hare (Lepus americanus struthopus)
Oregon Snowshoe Rabbit (Lepus americanus oregonus)
Pallid Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus pallidus)
Rocky Mountain Snowshoe Rabbit (Lepus americanus bairdii)
St. Joe Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus pineus)
Sierra Nevada Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus tahoensis)
Varying Hare (Lepus americanus americanus)
Virginia Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus virginianus)
Washington Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus washingtonii)
Synonyms
Common Names
Snowshoe Hare
Snowshoe Rabbit
Varying Hare
Visitor Photos
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Sheila Belland |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
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Slideshows
Snowshoe Hare
Gerald (Wayne) Prout
Lepus americanus (Snowshoe Hare)
Andrew Hoffman
Snowshoe Hares
Tom Reichner
Visitor Videos
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Other Videos
Snowshoe Hare
Steve Geronazzo
Snowshoe Hare at the North American Bear Center, Ely, MN
njwebfoot1
Snowshoe Hare HD 720p
Sparky Stensaas
Snowshoe Hare Hunting In Minnesota
bud deny
Visitor Sightings
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Sheila Belland
8/22/2023
Location: Carlton County
Minnesota Seasons Sightings
