Body composition and reproduction in mountain hares ( Lepus timidus scoticus) in north‐east Scotland

• Published in: Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Merwe, M. Van der, Racey, P. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1991
• Subjects: Lepus timidus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1991.tb04336.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1991.tb04336.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1991.tb04336.x; https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1991.tb04336.x

Mountain hares in north‐east Scotland are pregnant from Mid‐February to mid‐July, although breeding is at a peak from April to June when all adult females are either pregnant or lactating or both. The onset of reproduction coincides with the highest body fat composition and the end of the breeding season coincides with the greatest depletion of body fat.