snowshoe hare 
Emma Morrison
January 23, 2015
Natural Resources
Eisman
Snowshoe Hare on Kodiak The Snowshoe Hare is a small mammal located on Kodiak, Alaska. It is not native to the island. In the winter it can be seen with a pale white coat; whereas, in the summer it is brown in color. Each individual hare can vary in weight but are generally two to four pounds, roughly the weight of two to four one pound bags of rice. This makes them the smallest species in their genus.They are famously known in the animal community for their large and long hind feet that work as snowshoes, hence the name. These large feet support them when they are crossing through deep amounts of snow. If they sunk in the snow, then they really wouldn’t ever get anywhere. They only eat veggies and such, which make them herbivores. Twigs, berries, grasses and even bark are appetizing to their palettes. Often, large open spaces are avoided such as marshes or fields to keep out of the sights of predators. Snowshoe Hares prefer coniferous and boreal forests such as the ones in the Appalachian Mountains, Alaska, the Rockies and, of course, Kodiak. On the island of Kodiak, they reside on the outskirts of the island with denser populations towards the northern part portion of Kodiak. Populations of the fluffy snowshoe hare fluctuate in 10 year cycles. Snowshoe hares will be in abundance, then decline in their numbers. Population numbers usually go from roughly 500 hares per square mile then gradually down to very scarce amounts. Hunting regulations were set in 2014. They are in an open season currently. This year’s hunting periods are from September 2nd, 2014 through April 4, 2015. This season there is no bag limit. There is, however, a possession limit of 5 hares per day. Female snowshoe hares only have six to seven babies per year. It only takes thirty six to thirty seven days for their young to develop inside the mother’s womb. This is also known as the gestation period of an animal. To be
January 23, 2015
Natural Resources
Eisman
Snowshoe Hare on Kodiak The Snowshoe Hare is a small mammal located on Kodiak, Alaska. It is not native to the island. In the winter it can be seen with a pale white coat; whereas, in the summer it is brown in color. Each individual hare can vary in weight but are generally two to four pounds, roughly the weight of two to four one pound bags of rice. This makes them the smallest species in their genus.They are famously known in the animal community for their large and long hind feet that work as snowshoes, hence the name. These large feet support them when they are crossing through deep amounts of snow. If they sunk in the snow, then they really wouldn’t ever get anywhere. They only eat veggies and such, which make them herbivores. Twigs, berries, grasses and even bark are appetizing to their palettes. Often, large open spaces are avoided such as marshes or fields to keep out of the sights of predators. Snowshoe Hares prefer coniferous and boreal forests such as the ones in the Appalachian Mountains, Alaska, the Rockies and, of course, Kodiak. On the island of Kodiak, they reside on the outskirts of the island with denser populations towards the northern part portion of Kodiak. Populations of the fluffy snowshoe hare fluctuate in 10 year cycles. Snowshoe hares will be in abundance, then decline in their numbers. Population numbers usually go from roughly 500 hares per square mile then gradually down to very scarce amounts. Hunting regulations were set in 2014. They are in an open season currently. This year’s hunting periods are from September 2nd, 2014 through April 4, 2015. This season there is no bag limit. There is, however, a possession limit of 5 hares per day. Female snowshoe hares only have six to seven babies per year. It only takes thirty six to thirty seven days for their young to develop inside the mother’s womb. This is also known as the gestation period of an animal. To be