Snowshoe Hare

Lepus americanus

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAEB03010
Common Name: 
Snowshoe Hare
Scientific Name: 
Lepus americanus
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Lagomorpha
Family: 
Leporidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Economic/Human Considerations

Important source of food and fur.
References: 
B001
Habitat
Forests, swamps, riverside thickets.
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

73% of the NWT.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B112

Number of Occurrences

Score: 
E = >
References: 
H126

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
References: 
B001
RSC13
Population

Population Size

Between 0.5 to 3.0 individuals per hectare of forested area in the NWT (28,000,000 ha (StasCan)), so 1.4 million to 84 million.
Score: 
H = >
References: 
RSC13

Density

1 to 10,000 per sq. miles (32 is ideal to permit adequate reproduction).
Trends

Trends

Naturally large oscillations of 9 to 10 years (B001). Large peak in 2000-2001 (RSC13).
References: 
B001
RSC13
Threats

Threats

Predation, disease.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B001

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
B001
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted By S. Carriere. Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Area of Occupancy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Carriere, S. (2004) Small Mammal Survey and Hare Transect Survey in the Northwest Territories – Summary Report 2004. Manuscript report - RSC13 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Population Size

Carriere, S. (2004) Small Mammal Survey and Hare Transect Survey in the Northwest Territories – Summary Report 2004. Manuscript report - RSC13 Return

Range Extent

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Carriere, S. (2004) Small Mammal Survey and Hare Transect Survey in the Northwest Territories – Summary Report 2004. Manuscript report - RSC13 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return