The Snowshoe Hare and Easter Beyond Your Backyard.

Kimberly J. Epp

Like Canada Lynx, the feet of the Snowshoe Hare help them move in deep snow - and move fast. These snow bunnies are truly adapted to the winter. Only hares, like long-tailed, long-tailed and least weasels, turn white. Rabbits, like the common cottontail, do not turn white over the winter.

The Snowshoe Hare is also known as the Varying Hare. The coat is actually tri-colored: the outer layer that grows back each winter is white, the middle layer is brown, and the inner layer is dark brown. The three layers act as good insulation for the hare. The ears are black-tipped.

The Snowshoe Hare needs to recycle it's scat so that it can absorb the nutrients. So it re-eats it's own waste before it even hits the ground. These hares will now be losing their white coat due to the lengthening of the days.

As cute as rabbits and hares are, please refrain from giving a live bunny as an Easter gift. Same goes for chicks. Shelters and sanctuaries become overwhelmed with unwanted Easter pets.

Unless you are on a farm or have experience with rabbits, PLEASE only give your children chocolate gifts. Give them educational books on rabbits and chickens instead. To give a live pet as a gift then take it away and drop it off at a shelter is NOT something any child would want.