Mammals Most active at dawn and dusk

Mountain Hare

Lepus timidus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The ultimate survivor of the high peaks, the Mountain Hare is a shapeshifter that swaps its earthy summer browns for a ghost-white winter coat.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length 45–65 cm (18–26 in); Weight 2–5.3 kg (4.4–11.7 lb)

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Colors

Brownish-grey in summer; most populations turn pure white in winter, though ear tips remain black year-round.

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Key Features

Ears shorter than the Brown Hare with prominent black tips
Thick white winter pelage (except in Ireland)
Large, broad hind paws that act as snowshoes
Compact, rounded body shape compared to other hares

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

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Peak hours 5-9 PM, 4-7 AM

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Season Year-round; most visible in early spring (breeding) or winter (white coat against dark ground)

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Diet Herbivorous; consumes grasses and herbs during summer, switching to woody shrubs, heather, willow twigs, and bark during winter months.

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Habitat Alpine meadows, moorlands, tundra, and coniferous forests; prefers areas with some cover but open ground for running.

Behavior

Mountain Hares are masters of seasonal adaptation, most famous for their remarkable twice-yearly molt. During the day, they typically remain tucked into 'forms'—shallow depressions in the ground, heather, or snow—where they rely on their camouflaged coats to remain invisible to predators like Golden Eagles and Red Foxes. They are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, emerging as light fades to forage and socialise.

Unlike many other mammals, they are largely solitary but can be seen congregating in small groups in the spring during the breeding season. During this time, they engage in 'boxing' matches, which are actually females fending off over-eager males. They are exceptionally fast runners, capable of reaching speeds of 64 km/h (40 mph) and using zig-zagging maneuvers to escape threats in open terrain.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Mountain Hare, position your camera low to the ground, ideally 30 to 50 centimeters (12-20 inches) high. This height mimics their natural eye level and ensures the motion sensor is triggered by their movement. Focus on 'hare runs'—narrow, well-worn paths through heather or grass—or gaps in stone walls where they are known to pass through frequently.

Because they are most active in the twilight and night, a camera with a high-quality 'No-Glow' infrared flash is essential. Standard white flashes can startle these wary animals, causing them to bolt and potentially abandon the area. If you are tracking them in winter, place your camera near stands of willow or gorse, as these are primary food sources when snow covers the ground.

In snowy environments, be mindful of your camera's exposure settings. The bright white landscape can often trick the sensor into underexposing the subject, leaving your hare looking like a dark silhouette. If your camera allows for it, increase the exposure compensation. Lastly, since Mountain Hares are known to frequent the same 'forms' for resting, look for flattened patches of vegetation and set up your camera nearby to capture them as they wake and begin their nightly forage.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Mountain Hare.

Brown Hare

Larger with longer ears and a black-topped tail; does not turn white in winter.

Arctic Hare

Found in North America and Greenland; generally larger and better adapted to extreme polar cold.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Mountain Hares are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They also forage throughout the night to avoid daytime predators.

If you live in a highland or rural northern area, you can attract them by planting native shrubs like willow and heather. In winter, providing apple branches or salt licks can sometimes draw them closer to your camera setup.

Their diet is strictly herbivorous. In summer, they eat grasses, clovers, and herbs. In winter, they transition to a tougher diet of heather, gorse, and the bark or twigs of willow and birch trees.

No, they are rarely found in suburban environments. They prefer remote, high-altitude moorlands, tundra, or coniferous forests, avoiding the human-heavy habitats favored by the Brown Hare.

Look at the ears and the tail. Mountain Hares have shorter ears with black tips and a tail that stays white year-round. Brown Hares have longer ears and a tail with a black top surface.

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