The arctic-adapted Mountain hare is a legally protected species in Scotland.
They are perhaps one of our least familiar mammals and a key species for many who enjoy watching wildlife in Scotland. To learn more about our wide range of species, read Wildlife in Scotland: A Beginner’s Guide.
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Appearance
Mountain hares are one of only two native hares in Scotland. They differ from Brown hares in a number of ways. Firstly, they are smaller and have a more rounded profile. Secondly, they lack the black top to the tail. Thirdly, their fur changes colour from white in the winter to grey-brown in the summer. The Irish supspecies L. t. hibernicus rarely turns completely white. Furthermore, they are larger and often feed at sea level. Length: 45-60cm (nose to base of tail). Weight: 2-5kg.
Species factfile ❀
Common name: Mountain hare Scientific name: Lepus timidus Order: Lagomorpha, Family: Lepidae Measurements: 45-61cm long, 2-5.8Kg Habitat: Mountains, hills, moorland and boreal forest Range: Scandinavia, Siberia, Alps, Scotland, Baltics, Hokkaido Conservation status: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: Schedule 5 species
Name
Latin name: Lepus timidus. Lepus is Old Latin meaning ‘a hare’. Timidus is New Latin for ‘timid’. Their other names also include the ‘Variable’, ‘Blue’ or ‘White’ hare.
Mountain hare habitat
This species can be found on the hills and mountains of the Scottish Highlands, often being seen at heights of over 1000m. They are also sometimes seen at valley level and on the coast on some Scottish islands.
Adaptations
This species regularly withstands hurricane-force winds, deep snow and temperatures of minus 30 Celcius on the Scottish winter mountains. Thus, they have several adaptations to reduce heat loss. These include a compact, round body shape, highly-insulating fur and broad, furred feet.
They also have a number of adaptations that give them protection from predators such as Golden eagles and foxes. These include excellent hearing, near-180-degree eyesight and seasonal camouflage. In addition, their very high running speed (64kph, 39.7mph) helps them escape and also makes them one of the fastest land mammals in Scotland.
How to find mountain hares
Mountain hares often sit for long periods, eating and relying on their camouflage. So, scan slowly with binoculars and telescope, looking for what appears to be a ‘furry rock’. Another approach is to wait for them to run, at which point they are obvious (remember, it it is an offence in Scotland to recklessly or deliberately disturb them).
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Sheltering
This is not a burrowing species. The only occasions when they might do so are when protecting young or finding shelter or food during heavy snow. Hares instead use sheltered hollows for resting and feeding, called ‘forms’.
Feeding
Common food plants include blaeberry, juniper, willow and heather. As well as rabbits, this species practices coprophagy. This involves eating their own fresh droppings, thereby gaining valuable extra nutrients.
Breeding
In spring, females sometimes appear to be ‘boxing’ with other hares – this is in fact their effort to repel pursuing males. They breed up to 3 times a year, between February and August. Young hares, called leverets, usually hide is a shallow depression amongst the grass and heather. Being a mountain species, living in burrows is often not possible due to frozen or rocky ground. The leverets leave their so-called ‘form’ about a week after birth.
Distribution in Scotland
Most moorland, hills and mountains in Scotland provide good habitat for this species. Interestingly, the Irish sub species (L. t. hibernicus) occurs on some Scottish Islands (eg: Mull).
Conservation of mountain hares
Traditionally, Highland Estates culled mountain hares annually. A key reason for this was to try to reduce the incidence of ‘louping ill’ (LIV). This viral wasting disease harms red grouse stocks, having passed to them from hares, via tick bites. However, in June 2020, mountain hares gained protected species status in Scotland. They are thus one of the most recent Scottish mammals to gain legal protection.
The University of Michigan recently conducted a study on Mountain hare camouflage. They found that Scottish hares were unusual because their colour change (moult) did not appear to be adapting to reduced snow cover caused by climate change. Possible factors included reduced genetic diversity and lack of predators.
So, mountain hares are a very distinctive, but hard-to-spot resident of the Scottish mountains. Thankfully, they are now legally protected and should continue to provide challenge and delight for wildlife watchers in the future.
Spring birding in the Cairngorms and more
Mountain hare FAQs
Many bird and mammal species change colour during different seasons. These changes usually occur through ‘hormone cascades’ in the body, often triggered by varying day length.
Mountain hares can run at speeds of up to 64kph (39.7mph).
This is now a legally protected species in Scotland, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Mountain, Snowshoe and Arctic hares are three different, but similar species (Lepus timidus, L. americanis and L. arcticus respectively). The last is significantly larger and possesses more fat reserves.
They live in the mountains of the Scottish Highlands, and also in many moorland areas, from about 400m upwards.
Scan slowly with binoculars or telescope. They are much more obvious if they move.