Mountain Hare

Lepus timidu

Common & widespread in Scotland, rare in the Peak District.

 Also occurs in the Faroe Islands, Scandinavia, North East Europe, Taiga & Tundra zones of Northern Asia, North America, Greenland & also in isolated populations in the Alps.

Also known as Blue or White Hare.

Females being slightly heavier than Males.

They can live for up to 12 years.

In summer, for all populations of Mountain Hares, the coat is various shades of brown.

In preparation for winter most populations moult into a white (or largely white) pelage.

The tail remains completely white all year round, distinguishing the Mountain Hare from the European Hare (Lepus europaeus), which has a black upper side to the tail.