Lepus articus is a hare which is largely adapted to polar and mountainous habitats. It is distributed over the tundra regions of Greenland and the northernmost parts of Canada as well as Alaska.
Most arctic hares spend summers north of treeline, but may move to forested habitat during winter. They are well adapted to harsh northern environments with their thick fur and reduced surface to area body ration relative to other species.
Like most other polar animals, this hare is totally white. They normally show seasonal changes in coat color. Arctic hares inhabiting far north, however, keep their white coats year –round, even though there is no snow cover in midsummer.
The diet of arctic hares is varied, considering the limited plant species richness found in tundra habitats. On Banks Island, Northwest Territories, the winter diet consist mainly of willow twigs with lesser amounts of legumes. Like all arctic vegetarians, they have a much more varied diet in summer.
Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus)
