- Snowshoe hares have a brown coat in summer and a white one in winter
- The North America hares develop a white coat to protect against predators
- Climate change is causing increasing global temperature and less snowfall
- Experts believe that the animals are responding to these changes in climate
What kind of hares turn white in the winter?
Hares snowshoe hareSnowshoe hare (Lepus americanus).Robb Hannawacker Several species of hares—including the Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus), the mountain hare (L. timidus), and the snowshoe hare (L. americanus)—turn from brown or grayish to white in the winter.
Why does the color change in a hare?
The color change is thought to be at least partially linked to photoperiod—that is, the amount of light received during the day. As the days shorten, receptors in the retina transmit that information to the hare’s brain, stimulating the replacement of brown hair to white, starting with the extremities.
Why do some animals turn white in winter?
As temperatures drop and autumn gives way to the seemingly ceaseless snows of winter, some animals in northerly climes exchange their pelage or plumage of summer drab for the purest white.
Why do people wear white in the winter?
Why this happens is not entirely clear. While camouflage is one evolutionary factor that has selected for seasonally white fur, it is likely that the switch to winter whites confers other advantages as well. Scientists believe that if staying hidden were the only upside, many more snow dwellers would be white, but that is not the case.
Do all hares turn white in winter?
During the winter, snowshoe hares are white, which helps them blend in with the snow. When the seasons change to spring and summer, snowshoe hares turn a reddish-brown. This color helps them camouflage with dirt and rocks. Not every part of the snowshoe hare changes color throughout the year.
Why might a hare grow white fur in the winter?
Snowshoe hares change the color of their coats for two reasons: added warmth and to blend in with their surroundings.
How do arctic hares turn white in winter?
Several species of hares—including the Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus), the mountain hare (L. timidus), and the snowshoe hare (L. americanus)—turn from brown or grayish to white in the winter. The color change is thought to be at least partially linked to photoperiod—that is, the amount of light received during the day.
Why do some rabbits turn white in the winter?
A rabbit will have darker fur during the summer. In the winter, as the days grow shorter, less melanin is produced. This, in turn, means that a rabbit's new coat will lack pigmentation. In snowy climes, it's quite common for a rabbit's fur to turn completely white.
Why do hares turn white?
To blend in with the ground in the warmer months, snowshoe hares sport brown fur. In the winter, they turn white to camouflage with the snow. It's harder for predators to spot an animal that matches the background in all seasons. This technique is a wonder of evolution, but climate change is interrupting this process.
Why arctic hares have white fur in winter and brown fur in summer?
Why do Arctic hares turn white in winter? During the summer, an Arctic hare's coat is grey-brown. This blends in with the vegetation and helps it avoid predators such as eagles. If it kept this coat colour during the winter, when snow covers the landscape, it would stand out and make an easy target.
Why do Arctic animals turn white?
The white fur actually has no coloring and more room for air, which insulates the animal. It's like a human putting on a winter coat for extra warmth. So, turning white may be to hide or for warmth, or both.
Why do rabbits from polar regions have white fur?
The white fur reflects more light warming the rabbit. The white fur makes the rabbits stand out in the snow.
Why do polar animals have white fur?
Polar bears have white fur so that they can camouflage into their environment. Their coat is so well camouflaged in Arctic environments that it can sometimes pass as a snow drift.
What is the difference between a rabbit and a hare?
Hares are distinguished from rabbits by their larger size, longer ears, and longer hind legs. They also tend to live alone or in pairs in above-ground nests, whereas rabbits often live together in groups of up to 20 in underground tunnels known as warrens.
Why do rabbits and squirrels change the color of their fur for the winter?
Their fur or feathers change from brown to white, which provides them two major advantages: The new fur or feathers are thicker and act as a better insulator than the brown summer coat, and the color change allows these animals to be camouflaged in the snow to avoid predators and hunt prey.
How long does a hare live?
Arctic hare: 18 monthsScrub hare: 1 – 5 yearsHares/Lifespan
Hares are no longer turning white during the winter to camouflage with the snow as global warming continues to rise
There are several ways in which animals can camouflage themselves against the surrounding environment.
Countershading
Countershading is a form of camouflage used by animals where one side of the animal is darker than another.
Colour change
Many animals can change their colour to blend in with their environment.
Textural manipulation
As well as colour change they can manipulate the texture of their skin in order to blend in with the terrain.
