Snowshoe hare feeds on fresh spring grass in Fairbanks, Alaska. (© Patrick J Endres / www.AlaskaPhotoGraphics.com)
Late May in Fairbanks, Alaska is an infusion in fresh lime green. The boreal forest explodes with shiny new leaves and new grass is growing under the increasing light and sunshine. In particular, this year there is an abundance of snowshoe hares that venture from the forest to feed on the fresh green grass in open areas. Snowshoe hares turn completely white in the winter as part of cryptic color disguise that helps them hide from predators. While they are often called “rabbits”, technically they are “hares” which are distinct in that their young, called leverets, are born with a full coat of fur and open eyes. This is in contrast to rabbits, whose young are born hairless and with eyes closed. I took this photo in my front yard the other day.
