 |
|
|
Chin Gland
An
exciting new discovery made by David Gray is that
Arctic hares have a chin gland, which had not been
reported before (other hare species have chin glands).
There have not been any anatomical studies of the
gland, but his observations of their behaviour
reveal its importance. All adult male hares that
he and his research team checked closely showed
the chin gland. Whether adult females also have
it is still not known. The chin gland appears as
a round depression in the fur under the chin. The
fur around the depression is stained light yellow. |
|
 |
 |
| Eureka!
April
30, 1986 -- "Blue Bun approached camp, ran
straight up here, circled around, checked traps.
I had him full frame in the scope. Could see
his dirty muzzle, probably remnants of blood.
Also a little yellowish, stained depression right
under his chin. Especially noticeable when he
stood up on hind legs". April 30, 1986; -17°C (1°F).
|
|
 |
Flash version (290 Kb)
|
|
Characteristics
The Basics | Colour | Fur | Feet | Skull and Teeth
| Recycling: Reingestion | The Senses | Locomotion
The Senses
Smell
The Arctic hare's (Lepus arcticus) sense of smell is well
developed and the nose and nostrils are constantly moving,
checking the airborne scents. Arctic hares sniff the snow
or ground in searching for food, and they check rocks and
other objects frequently for the scent of other hares.
At Sverdrup Pass on Ellesmere Island (now in Nunavut), David Gray observed that adult male hares frequently rub their
chin over rocks, and, in his camp, on box corners and tie-down
cords. They leave a distinctive smell on objects they have
rubbed.
Vision
 |
 This Arctic hare is rubbing its chin on rocks at Polar Bear Pass, on Bathurst Island in Nunavut.
|
Arctic hares have large eyes placed at the side of the head.
The position of the eyes gives hares an extremely broad range
of vision. Without turning their head, they can see almost
360° around them.
The pupils are round and the iris is a dark reddish brown.
The Arctic hare's black eyelashes protect against the sun's
glare, just as do sunglasses or the black paint football
players use below their eyes.
Hearing
Arctic hares are able to move their long, furred ears into
different positions. When alerted by an unusual sound, they
will turn their ears so the opening faces the direction of
the sound's origin. Also, ears are important for communication
through body language.
Locomotion
The normal locomotion pattern for a feeding hare is a four-legged
hop. The two forefeet move ahead a step each, and then the
hind legs move forward together.
When alarmed, Arctic hares stand straight upright on their
hind legs, often bouncing up and down on tiptoe while assessing
the danger. This posture is a striking adaptation to the
environment, in which the hare gains a better view of the
treeless tundra from the higher vantage-point. If the danger
is real they bound away at top speed, hopping on hind feet
much as a kangaroo does, with the forelegs held against the
chest. They usually flee uphill. In this manner a wary hare
can easily outdistance most would-be-predators.
David Gray recorded video
of an Arctic hare fleeing an Arctic fox at Sverdrup Pass.
The hare left five sets of hind foot prints as it hopped up
a snowbank. The average distance between the prints of the
hind feet was 1.7 m (5 ft. 8 in.) the longest jump was a full
2.08 m (6 ft. 10 in.).
|
Play the video: