How Do Hares Survive the Winter? Uncovering Their Overwintering Survival Strategies

In the tenth month, the hare does not leave the path; in the twelfth month, the hare does not leave the household. In winter, hares in the wild hide near villages. So how do hares survive the winter?

How do hares survive the winter

In autumn, hares grow a thick, dense coat, and beneath their skin they also develop a thick layer of fat; the fur and fat help them keep out the cold. Generally, they store enough food for the winter inside their burrows.

Are hares protected animals?

Hares are divided into two fine types, the mountain hare and the grass hare (brown hare); the mountain hare is a Class III protected animal, while the grass hare is not a protected animal. However, the local forestry bureau states that although the grass hare is not a protected animal, hares are “three-valuable” wild animals as designated by the state, meaning wild animals that are beneficial or have important economic or scientific research value. According to the Wildlife Protection Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Wildlife Protection, “three-valuable” wild animals are protected animals, and privately hunting and selling such animals is illegal, and offenders are subject to corresponding penalties.

Three-valuable protected animals, namely terrestrial wild animals under state protection that have important ecological, scientific and social value.

In order to further implement the Wildlife Protection Law of the People's Republic of China and strengthen the protection and management of terrestrial wild animal resources other than the state and local key protected wild animals of our country, after study, the wildlife administrative department under the State Council convened an expert demonstration meeting in Beijing in May 2000 and formulated the List of Terrestrial Wild Animals under State Protection that Are Beneficial or Have Important Economic or Scientific Research Value (abbreviated as the “Three-Valuable List”), which was issued and implemented on August 1, 2000, by Order No. 7 of the State Forestry Administration.