3 Types of Rabbits in Alaska

Rabbits belong to the genus Sylvilagus and family Leporidae, and they require specific habitat conditions found primarily in temperate and subtropical regions. Most rabbit species prefer open grasslands, shrublands, or desert-like environments with dry soil and minimal snow. Alaska's long winters, deep snow cover, permafrost in many regions, and limited browse during the off-season make conditions unsuitable for the cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus spp.) that inhabit lower latitudes. The state's primary lagomorph, the snowshoe hare, has evolved oversized hind feet and a dense coat that give it a distinct advantage in deep snow.

Rabbits and hares are both members of the order Lagomorpha and share similar body plans, but they occupy different ecological niches and have evolved different survival strategies. Rabbits are generally smaller, have shorter ears and legs, and are born blind, naked, and helpless in underground burrows. Hares are larger, have longer ears and legs, and are born fully furred and alert above ground. Snowshoe hares' oversized hind feet and fur-lined soles provide traction in deep snow, an adaptation rabbits lack. Their ears are also proportionally smaller, which reduces heat loss in extreme cold. If you see a large lagomorph in Alaska with thick fur and outsized feet, it is a snowshoe hare, not a rabbit.

Snowshoe hares are distributed across most of Alaska's forested regions and parts of the tundra. They are most abundant in the boreal forests of central and interior Alaska, including areas near Denali, Fairbanks, and the Tanana Valley. They also occur in southeast Alaska's temperate rain forests and in parts of western and southwestern Alaska. Their population numbers fluctuate in roughly 10-year cycles driven by predator-prey dynamics and food availability. During high-population years, they are relatively easy to spot; during low years, sightings become rare. They are absent from the high Arctic islands and the most exposed tundra regions where snow depth exceeds their ability to forage efficiently.

Snowshoe hares are herbivores that browse on available vegetation year-round. In summer, they feed on grasses, clover, and forbs in meadows and open areas. In winter, when snow covers ground vegetation, they shift to woody browse, the twigs and bark of willow, aspen, birch, and alder. They favor young growth and regenerating plants after fires or disturbances. Their diet varies with seasonal availability and location. In interior Alaska's spruce-birch forests, they rely heavily on willow browse during winter months. They typically forage during dawn and dusk, when predator activity is lower, though they may feed throughout the day during extreme cold when reduced activity would cost more energy than foraging.

Snowshoe hares are medium-to-large lagomorphs, weighing 3 to 5 pounds. Their most distinctive feature is their enormous hind feet, up to 5 inches long, that resemble oversized snowshoes and leave a distinctive track pattern in snow. In summer, they are brown or grayish-brown with black markings on the back and a white belly. In winter, they turn nearly white, providing camouflage in snow, though the tips of their ears remain black year-round. Their ears are tall but shorter than those of jackrabbits in the lower 48. Their tail is small and black on the upper surface. When moving quickly, their hind legs propel them in a series of bounds that can exceed 12 feet in length. Their eyes are large and positioned high on their head, giving them a wide field of vision to detect predators.

Snowshoe hares are active year-round and can be spotted in any season, though visibility varies with snow cover and population cycles. Late fall through early spring offers the best viewing because fresh snow makes their tracks highly visible, even when the animal itself remains hidden in brush or forest cover. Their white winter coat makes them easier to spot against dark vegetation during the brief twilight of Alaska's winters. Summer viewing requires more patience because brown-furred hares blend with tundra and forest understory. Early morning and dusk are prime times, as hares are crepuscular. In areas of high population abundance (which occur cyclically), tracks and evidence are abundant even in poor visibility conditions. During low-abundance years, dedicated observation in favored habitats, willow-dominated valleys and young forest regeneration areas, offers the best chance of encounter.

Snowshoe hares are a keystone prey species in Alaska's food web. They are hunted by numerous predators including lynx, coyotes, foxes, eagles, owls, and wolverines. The 10-year population cycle of snowshoe hares drives the abundance of their predators, particularly Canadian lynx, which are almost entirely dependent on hares for food. When hare populations peak, lynx populations boom 1 to 2 years later; when hares crash, lynx numbers decline sharply. Other predators are more generalist and switch prey species when hares are scarce. Their extreme abundance during peak years makes them a crucial food resource for Alaska's carnivores. Humans also harvest snowshoe hares in regulated seasons for subsistence hunting and sport; check current Alaska regulations before harvesting.

Snowshoe hares are native to Alaska and have occupied the boreal forests and tundra margins for thousands of years. They are not an introduced or invasive species. Their population cycles and abundance are natural patterns driven by ecological factors such as vegetation growth, predator presence, and climate. They play a critical ecological role as a food source and as consumers of woody vegetation. Unlike the European rabbit, which has become invasive in Australia and other regions where it lacks natural predators, snowshoe hares exist in a well-balanced predator-prey system with lynx, coyotes, and other Alaskan carnivores. Their presence and population dynamics are monitored by Alaska biologists as an indicator of overall ecosystem health in boreal and arctic regions.