Snowshoe Hare

Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) are a game species that have experienced population declines along the southern extend of their range, including the Manistee National Forest. Snowshoe hares turn white in the winter and brown in the summer to blend into their surroundings. However, as the climate changes, the timing of this color switch does not always match the change in snow-cover, causing them to be more vulnerable to predation. The ranges of the plant species hares typically associate with for habitat and food are also changing with climate. Due to their climate-sensitive nature, snowshoe hares are an important native species the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians focuses stewardship efforts on.