CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOME RANGE OF MOUNTAIN HARES LEPUS-TIMIDUS

Home ranges (minimum convex polygon) were large in heather moorland and hill pastures in Strathdon, Grampian, NE Scotland, 113 ha for males, 89 ha for females. Males moved around the periphery of their range in the breeding season; some of these movements may lead to establishment of new centres of activity. Home ranges comprised day resting places in long heather and discrete night feeding areas downhill. Heavier, presumably dominant, males had smaller home ranges than lighter males. Male mountain hares moved to day resting places higher on the hill in July, females in September, in both cases after the end of reproductive activity. Hares formed larger groups after the breeding season, up to 30 hares in January and February. Male hares flushed at greater distances than females, which occupied better cover. Home ranges were needed to provide shelter and food during severe weather and extensive snow-lie. -from Authors