Possible Alaska Hare (Lepus othus) Tracks

LEO invites members to help identify these tracks! You may leave a comment on this post, or email LEO Coordinator Erica Lujan at enlujan@anthc.org

Observation by Gregory Kingsley:

Several residents reported seeing something hopping from a distance and photographed the tracks up to eight inches long.

Dave Crowley, Wildlife Biologist at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, writes:

Without more information we think it was an Alaska hare. We’re collecting observations from the public to be followed up at some point. I’d be curious to hear if anyone saw the beast well enough to tell if it was white, they said below they saw it hopping in the distance.

Rick Merizon, Wildlife Biologist at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game writes:

I have been one of among 2-3 ADF&G biologists leading the Alaska hare work recently. Yes, we are continuing to collect data on Alaska hare sightings, distribution, and movement patterns. This work will continue for at least another 2-3 years at minimum at which point we’re hoping to institute some kind of range wide abundance tracking survey protocol.

Having looked at those photos I’m not convinced those are Alaska hare tracks. I’ve never seen a track quite like it but it does not look like any other Alaska hare track I’ve ever seen. I’d be curious about the dimensions of that track if they’d be available?

Wilson Justin, Former Guide and Elder from Chistochina writes: Interesting. Arctic hare is the only logical explanation but the pictures don't seem right. The extended marks of the claw/foot print is a bit out of the norm, also 8 inch prints is twice or a third that of the Hare.

Comments from LEO Editors:

Alaska hares (Lepus othus) are one of the largest species of hare in the state. In the summer, their coats are grey and brown and transition to white in the winter. Alaska hares can be distinguished from snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) by the black tips on their ears, and their size. Alaska hares can weigh almost 10 pounds, compared to the 3-4 pound snowshoe hares. Although Alaska hares are known to live along the western coast of Alaska from Kotzebue Sound to the Alaska Peninsula, not much is known about its population abundance or ecology. Anyone who sees an Alaska hare can submit information about their observation through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Hare Observation Portal. Source: ADFG Alaska Hare Species Profile