Species: Lepus americanus

Basically solitary except when breeding. In some areas, populations fluctuate widely over 10-11 year cycle. Densities may vary from 1 to several hundred per square mile (Keith and Windberg 1978). In Wisconsin, fall populations of less than 10 hares frequenting patches of prime habitat of less than 5 ha are not likely to persist long without ingress; in the same area, coyote predation was the overwhelming determinant of survival and population trend (Keith et al. 1993). See Sinclair et al. (1988) for recent data on population dynamics and food quality and supply. <br><br>Taken by many avian and mammalian predators, including ground squirrels and red squirrels (Yukon, O'Donoghue and Stuart 1993).