Mountain hares are abundant in the forests of Russia. In autumn, their coat is gray, and in winter, it becomes white, only the tips of the ears and tail remain black. Their fur is a very good camouflage.
The mountain hair grows to an average length of 74 cm, with an average mass of 5 kg. Scientists have noted that the average life expectancy of these species is seven to eight years. The most cautious individuals can live a few years longer.
The white hare has wide paws, which are somewhat similar to skis. It moves easily in the snow and does not fall through. The hind legs are longer than the front ones, which allows the hare to run uphill more easily than downhill. In the second case, the animal just starts to roll head over heels.
In general, mountain hares are excellent runners: some of them can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h — the average speed of a car. Hares feed on grass, and in winter — on the bark of aspen, willow, and larch. These animals do not actually dig holes, but hide under bushes.
Females give birth twice or three times a year to litters of three to five offspring. Leverets are born fully furred with their eyes open and they can run on the first day. Hare milk is highly nutritious, and its fat content is six times that of cow’s milk. The mother will visit her leverets to feed them twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. The young start grazing when they are five days old, starting with the nearby grass.
Foxes, wolves, lynxes, and hawks are the main predator of mountain hare. Not for nothing is the hare called “cross-eyed” in Russian: the animal can see objects in front of it, to the sides and even a little behind. Their ears can revolve in all directions, so they can hear and see behind them without turning their head.
Hares are crepuscular animals. They lie dozing during the day, although they stay ready to run at any moment. Hares are active at night, when they are very brave, they walk near the roads, and can even run into a garden. They skillfully leave false trails, and when caught, they fall on their backs and fight off with hind feet.
The mountain hair grows to an average length of 74 cm, with an average mass of 5 kg. Scientists have noted that the average life expectancy of these species is seven to eight years. The most cautious individuals can live a few years longer.
The white hare has wide paws, which are somewhat similar to skis. It moves easily in the snow and does not fall through. The hind legs are longer than the front ones, which allows the hare to run uphill more easily than downhill. In the second case, the animal just starts to roll head over heels.
In general, mountain hares are excellent runners: some of them can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h — the average speed of a car. Hares feed on grass, and in winter — on the bark of aspen, willow, and larch. These animals do not actually dig holes, but hide under bushes.
Females give birth twice or three times a year to litters of three to five offspring. Leverets are born fully furred with their eyes open and they can run on the first day. Hare milk is highly nutritious, and its fat content is six times that of cow’s milk. The mother will visit her leverets to feed them twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. The young start grazing when they are five days old, starting with the nearby grass.
Foxes, wolves, lynxes, and hawks are the main predator of mountain hare. Not for nothing is the hare called “cross-eyed” in Russian: the animal can see objects in front of it, to the sides and even a little behind. Their ears can revolve in all directions, so they can hear and see behind them without turning their head.
Hares are crepuscular animals. They lie dozing during the day, although they stay ready to run at any moment. Hares are active at night, when they are very brave, they walk near the roads, and can even run into a garden. They skillfully leave false trails, and when caught, they fall on their backs and fight off with hind feet.
