Alaskan Hare
Lepus othus
L. othus is a large hare, similar in size to the Arctic Hare but with slightly longer ears. Their fur is grayish-brown in summer and molts to white in winter, providing s…
How to identify
L. othus is a large hare, similar in size to the Arctic Hare but with slightly longer ears. Their fur is grayish-brown in summer and molts to white in winter, providing seasonal camouflage.
Range
L. othus is found in western and southwestern Alaska, primarily in tundra and coastal areas.
Habitat
L. othus inhabits coastal tundra, alpine tundra, and shrubby areas in western Alaska. They prefer areas with some vegetation cover for foraging and shelter.
Similar species
L. arcticus can occur in some overlapping areas but is generally found further north.
Name and etymology
Genus
Lepus
Latin for hare
Origin
Sources
- Palmer, Index Generum Mammalium (1904) ↗
Palmer, T. S. 1904. Index Generum Mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals. North American Fauna 23. Government Printing Office, Washington. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.39809
Species epithet
othus
Etymology incomplete
The meaning of this name has not been recorded yet.
Explore more names in the etymology index.
More illustrations
Winter
At a glance
Range
L. othus is found in western and southwestern Alaska, primarily in tundra and coastal areas.
Habitat
L. othus inhabits coastal tundra, alpine tundra, and shrubby areas in western Alaska. They prefer areas with some vegetation…
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap