Characteristics of the Home Range of Mountain Hares Lepus timidus

Abstract

(1) The home range of mountain hares in north-east Scotland was studied by radiotracking between 1982 and 1986. (2) Home ranges (minimum convex polygon) were large; 113 ha for males, 89 ha for females. Using 90% of radio-fixes reduced the intersexual difference in size because males moved around the periphery of their range in the breeding season. Some of these movements may lead to the establishment of new centres of activity. (3) Home ranges comprised day resting places in long heather and discrete night feeding areas downhill. (4) Heavier, presumably dominant, males had smaller home ranges than lighter males. (5) 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. (6) Hares formed larger groups after the breeding season, up to thirty hares in January and February. (7) Male hares flushed at greater distances than females, which occupied better cover. (8) Home ranges needed to provide shelter and food during severe weather and extensive snow-lie. They were larger than those of brown hares in a more sheltered environment with a diversity of food within a short distance.