Melo-Ferreira, J.; Boursot, P.; Randi, E.; Krykov, A.; Suchentrunk, F.; Ferrand, N.; Alves, P.C. (2007). "The rise and fall of the mountain hare ( Lepus timidus) during Pleistocene glaciations: expansion and retreat with hybridization in the Iberian Peninsula" (PDF). Molecular Ecology. 16 (3): 605–618. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.03166.x. PMID 17257116. S2CID 31778667. European brown hares are quite solitary by nature, and don’t get much enjoyment in the company of their species. After the frenzy of courtship, hares disperse to their more usual ways. This is where the phrase ‘mad as a march hare’ comes from - it’s so different from their usual behaviour. They are a quarry species that have long been shot for sport and are also legitimately controlled for other reasons, including to protect plants and crops. https://theferret.scot/outrage-mass-killing-mountain-hares/ Outrage over mass killing of mountain hares, The Ferret,

Rehnus, M.: Der Schneehase in den Alpen. Ein Überlebenskünstler mit ungewisser Zukunft, Haupt Verlag, Bern 2013, ISBN 978-3-258-07846-5, p.21 In the Faroe Islands, mountain hares turn grey in the winter instead of white. The winter-grey colour may be caused by downregulation of the agouti hair cycle isoform in the autumn moult. [11] Behaviour [ edit ] "Mountain, Irish Hare" illustration from "British Mammals" by A. Thorburn, 1920 Skeleton

Mountain Flow

If you’re in Scotland, Ireland or the very north of England, you might find yourself in a habitat populated by both the brown hare and the mountain hare. Only the mountain hare is native to the UK, with the brown hare being introduced by man much like the rabbit was. If you’re unsure, here are some key differences to help tell them apart: The biggest threat to Mountain Hares is humans. They serve as game for hunters in some areas and are occasionally killed for sport. They are also sometimes shot, as mountain hares can destroy crops and fruit trees when little food is available in the winter months. Further threats to Mountain Hares include habitat loss and fragmentation. Those found guilty of breaking the new laws could face a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.

Mountain hares – our only native hare – are an important and valued species in the Scottish hills. This increased protection will help ensure healthy populations of mountain hares can be found and enjoyed in the mountains, while giving some recourse when there is a need to prevent damage being caused to saplings or sensitive habitats. We are also working with several partner organisations to continue to improve our understanding of mountain hare populations across Scotland, along with other work to support their conservation status.” Mountain Hares are well adapted to their cold, snowy environments. They moult twice a year, changing coat colour to blend into the environment around them. a b Macdonald, D.W.; Barrett, P. (1993). Mammals of Europe. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-09160-0.Through the Animals and Wildlife Act 2020, weare taking action to safeguardthe welfare of animals in Scotland andpreserve our precious natural heritage for future generations to come.” Most hair coloring agents use hydrogen peroxide or ammonia to strip the hair so the color will be absorbed. They use petroleum or coal tar based ingredients. This species is distributed from Fennoscandia to eastern Siberia; in addition, isolated mountain populations occur in the Alps, Scotland, the Baltics, northeastern Poland, and Hokkaidō. In Ireland, the Irish hare ( L. t. hibernicus) lives on lowland pastures, coastal grasslands, and salt marshes, not just in the mountains. The mountain hare has also been introduced to Iceland, Shetland, Orkney, the Isle of Man, the Peak District, Svalbard, Kerguelen Islands, Crozet Islands, and the Faroe Islands. [5] [6] [7] In the Alps, the mountain hare lives at elevations from 700 to 3800 m, depending on geographic region and season. [8] Description [ edit ] European hare (above) compared with a mountain hare Stuffed mountain hare, showing the winter pelage Unlike rabbits, young hares or leverets are born fully furred with open eyes above ground, and pretty much ready to go. I usually henna every 6 weeks or so. I've even gone 8 weeks in between. It's a time consuming process, and sometimes I am just unmotivated to do it.

I like to use a mirror since I henna my own hair. If you have someone do it for you, this may be unnecessary. It can be a messy process, so I put newspaper all over my bathroom floor and counter.The Arctic hare ( Lepus arcticus) was once considered a subspecies of the mountain hare, but it is now regarded as a separate species. Similarly, some scientists believe that the Irish hare should be regarded as a separate species. Fifteen subspecies are currently recognised. [2] Human impact [ edit ] a b Smith, A.T.; Johnston, C.H. (2019). " Lepus timidus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T11791A45177198. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T11791A45177198.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved henna to color hair. It is one of a select group of natural products to achieve official FDA recognition. The diet of the mountain hare varies from region to region. It seems to be somewhat dependent on the particular habitat in which the population under study lives. For example, in northern Scandinavia, where snow may blanket the ground for many months, the hares may feed on twigs and bark. In areas where snowfall is rare, such as Ireland, grass may form the bulk of the diet. Given a choice, mountain hares in Scotland and Ireland seem to prefer grazing (feeding on grasses). For mountain hares on a coastal grassland environment in Ireland, grasses constituted over 90% of their diet. This was higher than the percentage of grass in the diet of the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus) that inhabited the same environment. The mountain hare is regionally the favourite prey of the golden eagle and may additionally be preyed on by Eurasian eagle-owls and red foxes. Stoats may prey on young hares. [10] Long, John L. (2003). Introduced Mammals of the World: Their History, Distribution and Influence. Cabi Publishing ( ISBN 9780851997483) During the Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene, populations of mountain hare in Russia grew at least 10% larger than any living population today. This population has been classified as a distinct species Lepus tanaiticus, but is now generally considered a prehistoric morphotype of the living mountain hare. [4] Distribution [ edit ]

a b "Mountain Hare". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2010-03-28 . Retrieved January 28, 2010. It is a great alternative to the chemicals normally used to dye hair. Henna coats and seals the hair shaft. It helps protect the hair from the damaging effects of sun, salt, chlorine, wind, and pollution in the environment. Mountain Hares mate from the end of January, and babies, known as leverets, are usually born between March and July after a 50 day gestation period. Females can have up to four litters of around 1–4 leverets each year. They are born with fur and with their eyes open. What are the main threats to Mountain Hares? Hare, Simon (31 January 2021). "Peak District's last surviving mountain hares 'at risk' ". BBC News . Retrieved 31 January 2021.