Snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus / Cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus spp.

Conifers
Fig. 279  Ragged, exposed sapwood caused by hare feeding.	Fig. 280   Seedling leader clipped by a hare.	Fig. 281  Mortality due to stem girdling.
Broadleaves
Fig. 415  Hare damage to alder. Note ragged appearance.	Fig. 416  Sheer, knifelike, oblique cut characteristic of hares, rabbits, pikas, and rodents.	Fig. 417   Winter damage appearing higher up the stem then expected.	Fig. 418  Snowshoe hare droppings.

Distribution:  The snowshoe hare is found throughout B.C. except in the north coastal area and coastal islands.  The cottontail rabbit sis distributed in the south-central portion of B.C.

Tree Species Attacked: Conifers - Hare damage has only been reported from the north and central interior. All conifer tree species are susceptible, particularly lodgepole pine. Only trees with a diameter less than 6 cm are susceptible. 

Broadleaves - Black cottonwood, paper birch, trembling aspen, and balsam poplar are damaged by hares and rabbits.

What To Look For: Ragged patches of gnawed bark around the base of the tree, cleanly clipped branches, droppings.

Signs & Symptoms: Snowshoe hare and cottontail rabbit cause similar injuries, primarily in the winter. However, damage from cottontail rabbit is much less common. Seedlings are cut in an oblique, knife-like manner and the lateral or terminal shoots are removed. Bark is gnawed in small patches near the base of the stem or on the lower branches. Feeding damage may occur higher on the tree, depending on snow depth. The stem is occasionally girdled. Exposed sapwood exhibits a shaggy or ragged appearance with indistinct horizontal or diagonal toothmarks about 2 mm in width. High-risk stands occur in areas between clearcuts with young seedlings, and high-density, second growth, pole-size pine stands with a dense brushy understory. Newly planted seedlings or trees that have recently been fertilized are most attractive. Droppings are slightly flattened and circular, about 1 cm in diameter, and are often found in small clusters. Cottontail rabbit droppings are more disk-shaped, while those of the snowshoe hare are pellet-like. Tracks made by the hind feet of these species are elongate, but the snowshoe hare leaves longer imprints. 

Damage: Smaller seedlings are highly susceptible to mortality from clipping at the root collar. Larger seedlings suffer deformity, reduced growth rate, and occasional mortality. Young lodgepole pine not covered by snow are very susceptible to damage. Most damage occurs within several years of planting and follows a very regular 9 to 11-year population cycle.

Similar Damage: Feeding by voles on seedlings may be confused with hare or rabbit damage. Look for differences in toothmarks when feeding is on the stem, and for animal signs, such as droppings. For vole damage, exposed sapwood appears fuzzy, while for hare damage, it is ragged. Vole damage is typically on seedlings or at the base of small trees, as voles feed under the snow. Hares typically feed on the bole of young trees less than 6 cm dbh, and on top of the snow. Squirrel damage is usually on the bole of young trees over 6 cm dbh. Although squirrel damage is similar to that of hares and rabbits, the teethmarks are different, and the exposed sapwood is smooth. Damage caused by the mountain beaver, which occurs in BC only on the coast adjacent to the American border, can be mistaken for hare or rabbit damage. Contact wildlife specialists or local forest district staff for more information on mountain beaver damage.

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Contact Tim Ebata if you have comments on the presentation of this information.

BC Ministry of Forests
Forest Practices Branch
P.O. Box 9513 Stn. Prov. Gov.
Victoria, BC
V8W 9C2

Section phone: (250) 387-8739
Section fax: (250) 387-2136

Last updated March 04, 2002