Mountain hare in Polissia
Lepus timidus
Red Data Book of Ukraine: rare
The mountain hare, or white hare, is slightly smaller than the European hare, with shorter ears and broader feet densely covered in fur. In summer it is greyish-red, and in winter completely white except for the black tips of its ears. Its broad feet let it run easily over loose snow.
The mountain hare is a northern species, and in Ukraine it keeps only to Polissia, where it lives in remote forests with bogs, in alder woods and on overgrown clearings. It has been recorded, among other places, in the Polissia and Rivne nature reserves.
In snowless winters its white fur makes the mountain hare very conspicuous to predators. It is rarely seen, so its presence is most often revealed by broad tracks in the snow and gnawed shoots of willows and aspens.
The mountain hare is scarce in Ukraine and listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. It may not be hunted. In winter the best place to look for tracks is along the edges of bogs and in young woodland.
When to see: in winter by tracks and white fur; in spring and autumn during the moult
Where it was seen in Polissia
Observations from the open scientific database GBIF since 1990. Locations are shown approximately, to within 10 km.
More in “Mammals”
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