Mammals of Mount Rainier National ParkPotts, Merlin K.
History
Mammals of Mount Rainier National Park
Potts, Merlin K.
Mammals -- Washington (State) -- Mount Rainier National Park
“The summer specimen from Longmire seems to be typical _washingtonii_
in color and skull. The white winter specimen seems to be typical
_cascadensis_ while the very dark specimen (still in winter coat)
represents an interesting condition found only in the Western
Cascades, in which the specimens are darker than any other forms of
_Lepus americanus_ I have ever seen. This character is well
represented in a large series from Skykomish, Washington, in which the
winter coat varies from pure white to almost black.”
From these observations it would appear that there is a marked variation
in the winter coloration of _Lepus americanus washingtonii_, and further
that another subspecies of varying hare, _Lepus americanus cascadensis_,
is found in the park.
The Washington varying hare is not abundant in the park, having been
recorded only from the southwestern section, from the park boundary to
an elevation of about 3,000 feet, rarely higher.
It occurs on the western slope of the Cascades to the coast in
Washington, and northward into British Columbia.
The Cascade varying hare, _Lepus americanus cascadensis_ Nelson, is
about the same size as the Washington varying hare. In summer it is a
dark, rusty brown, reddish along the back, darker on the rump; white in
winter.
This hare apparently occurs most frequently in the southwestern part of
the park also, although tracks observed in winter at Yakima Park may
have been those of this species. Its range undoubtedly overlaps that of
the Washington varying hare, but it seems probable that in general it is
found at the higher elevations, 3,000 to 5,000 feet.
The distribution of this species, within its altitudinal range, is about
the same as that of the Washington varying hare.
_Specimens in park collection:_ Washington varying hare, RNP-57, RNP-99,
and a mounted specimen; Cascade varying hare, RNP-98; Longmire Museum,
Park Headquarters.
From the foregoing data, it is apparent that positive field
identification of either species is impossible in most instances. If a
brown hare is observed in winter (mid-October to mid-April) it may be
identified with reasonable accuracy as the Washington varying hare.
However, if the hare is white, it may be either species, particularly if
its habitat is near the elevation of overlapping distribution, 3,000
feet. Since the summer pelage of both species is similar, it is not
possible to differentiate during that season. In general the observer
may expect to find the Washington varying hare at 3,000 feet or lower,
the Cascade varying hare at 3,000 feet or higher. That such
identification can not be considered infallible, however, is
demonstrated by a brown specimen collected near Reflection Lake,
elevation 4,800 feet, in February, and identified as the Washington
varying hare.
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