The mountain hare, also known as blue hare, tundra hare, variable hare, white hare, snow hare, alpine hare, and Irish hare, is a Palearctic hare that is largely adapted to polar and mountainous habitats.
Mountain hare
European hare (above) compared with a mountain hare
Stuffed mountain hare, showing the winter pelage
"Mountain, Irish Hare" illustration from "British Mammals" by A. Thorburn, 1920
Hares and jackrabbits are mammals belonging to the genus Lepus. They are herbivores, and live solitarily or in pairs. They nest in slight depressions called forms, and their young are able to fend for themselves shortly after birth. The genus includes the largest lagomorphs. Most are fast runners with long, powerful hind legs, and large ears to dissipate body heat. Hare species are native to Africa, Eurasia and North America. A hare less than one year old is called a "leveret". A group of hares is called a "husk", a "down", or a "drove".
Hare
Hare
Brooklyn Museum - California Hare - John J. Audubon
Cape hare (Lepus capensis)