Watch How Snowshoe Hares Race Through Maine’s Snowy Landscape

It's not very often that I see a snowshoe hare in the wild. Actually, I don't even think I've seen one at a place like the Gray Animal Farm.

In the deep woods and snowy fields across Maine, one of winter’s most fascinating mammals is the snowshoe hare. True to its name, this hare’s remarkable ability to run on top of the snow rather than sink into it. It comes from a suite of physical adaptations honed for life in harsh winter landscapes.

Snowshoe hares have oversized hind feet that act much like miniature snowshoes. These feet are covered with dense, long fur on the soles, spreading the hare’s weight over a larger surface area and significantly reducing sinking into soft snow. The wide, furry feet also provide traction on icy crusts, helping hares hop and sprint with grace and speed.

See those feet above? Those are the hare's hind feet! They hit the ground funning, followed by their front webbed feet.

This adaptation isn’t just about staying above the snow. It’s critical for survival. Snowshoe hares can reach speeds up to 25–30 mph in short bursts when evading predators like foxes, lynx, and coyotes. Their running style often includes sudden zig-zags and leaps as they escape danger, using their powerful hind legs to propel themselves forward quickly.

In addition to their remarkable feet, snowshoe hares have seasonal fur changes that help them blend into their surroundings. White in winter to camouflage among snow, and brown in summer to match forest floors.

In Maine’s snowy months, observing a snowshoe hare skimming across the snow’s surface is a sight to see and a reminder of nature’s ingenuity. A mix of form and function that lets this small mammal not just survive, but thrive in winter’s chill.