Definition & Meaning of "snowshoe hare"

What is a "snowshoe hare"?

The snowshoe hare, also known as the varying hare, is a small mammal native to North America. It has a distinctive appearance with large hind feet adapted for snow travel, hence its name "snowshoe." Its fur changes color seasonally, being brown in the summer and white in the winter, providing excellent camouflage in its snowy habitat. The snowshoe hare is known for its ability to reproduce rapidly, with populations fluctuating in cycles that coincide with changes in vegetation and predator populations. They are herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plant material such as twigs, bark, and buds. Snowshoe hares are an important prey species for many predators in their ecosystem, including lynx, coyotes, and owls.