The squirrel hare got its name because it changes the color of its coat to white depending on the season. Some mammals, fish and insects sense photoperiods - the length of daylight. Relying on the length of the day, the squirrel changes its coloration to adjust to its surroundings and camouflage itself for the sake of survival. Like many other animals that live in the tundra and forests, the squirrel is one of the fashionable ones, capable of changing its color almost every season. For example, he wears his usual coat from June to September, and luxurious white fur in October. But in February the hare changes its color back to brown, otherwise everyone will notice such an outstanding fashionista. The white hare does not need extra attention.
The Squirrel Hare lives in the tundra, forest and partly forest-steppe zones of Northern Europe and Russia, in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. They prefer a solitary lifestyle. They feed exclusively on plant foods, such as horsetails, cowpeas, clover, and blueberries. In winter, the hares have to eat tree bark.
Hares and rabbits in European culture were associated with temptation and adultery for a reason. The mating season in rabbits lasts for 9 months (from January to September). In favorable conditions, the female is able to produce offspring 3 times during the rut. Arctic hares emerge into the world, sighted and wearing their coat, and in a few hours they gallop freely about the shelter. The female squirrel feeds her cubs once or sometimes twice a day because her milk contains 15% of fat content.
Fortunately, so far the Arctic hare is not threatened by anything. It is not in the Red Book. On the White Rabbit Day, let's wish the rabbit to always remain an endangered species.
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