Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) is in the Hares and Rabbits family (Leporidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 7,291 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Snowshoe Hare: observations by month (U.S.)
About Snowshoe Hare
The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks. Its feet also have fur on the soles to protect it from freezing temperatures.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Snowshoe Hare by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 1,231 | May | Mar–Sep |
| Minnesota | 1,053 | February | Nov–Jul |
| Washington | 825 | July | May–Sep |
| Vermont | 747 | April | Dec–Jul |
| Maine | 706 | July | May–Aug |
| Colorado | 532 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Michigan | 352 | June | May–Aug |
| Montana | 299 | July | Jun–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 295 | January | Dec–Jul |
| Oregon | 288 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Wyoming | 241 | June | May–Aug |
| New York | 205 | June | May–Jul |
| Idaho | 187 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Utah | 126 | July | May–Aug |
| California | 83 | July | May–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 44 | May | Apr–Aug |
| West Virginia | 26 | February | Dec–Feb |
| Massachusetts | 19 | January | Dec–Feb |
| New Mexico | 15 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | January | Dec–Mar |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Hares and Rabbits)
Eastern Cottontail
Desert Cottontail
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Marsh Rabbit
Brush Rabbit
Swamp Rabbit
Mountain Cottontail
White-tailed Jackrabbit
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Snowshoe Hare?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from January to August.
Where is Snowshoe Hare most often seen?
The most observations come from Alaska, Minnesota, Washington.