Mountain hares have evolved to change colour from dappled shades of brown to white, keeping them camouflaged against the winter snow. They are at their most vulnerable when they are still young leverets and preyed upon by foxes, stoats, birds of prey and cats.

Most active in the evening and at night, mountain hares will rest in forms and scrapes during the day with their backs to the wind sheltered by rocks and heather.

With concerns of global warming reducing snowfall in parts of the UK, mountain hares may suffer from being exposed in the wrong-coloured pelage, or moult, if there is insufficient cover.

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