Arctic Hare

We saw several white hares here, and on this and many subsequent occasions found them frequent the sides of the high banks which face the south, and where there is usually a plentiful vegetation for them to feed upon.

Place: Melville Island
Date: August 5, 1820
Source: Parry WE. 1822. Journals of the first second and third voyage for the discovery of the North-West Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, in 1819–20–21–22–23–24–25, in his Majesty’s ships Hecla, Griper and Fury, under the orders of Capt. W. E. Parry, R.N.F.R.S. and commander of the expedition, vol. 2. London: John Murray, Albermarle Street.

Standing Arctic Hare

Sergeant Rice reported that the hare travelled for a hundred or more yards at a time by jumping on its hind legs, for distances of six to eight feet, never touching the ground with its forepaws. He said he thought it at first an optical illusion, but the tracks confirmed his eyesight, showing the hind feet only to have touched the snow.

Place: Fort Conger, Ellesmere Island
Date: February 20, 1882
Source: Greely AW. 1886. Three Years of Arctic Service. New York: Scribbers Sons.

Ermine and Arctic Hare

Our people were today rather more successful in pursuit of game, bringing in seven hares before sunset. These animals were quite white, presenting so strong a contrast with the colour of the ground on which no snow as yet remained, as to render them very conspicuous at a distance; and we often killed them on landing, by having observed their situation while rowing along-shore at the distance of half a mile or more.

Place: Lyon Inlet
Date: September 17, 1821
Source: Parry WE. 1823. Journals of the first second and third voyage for the discovery of the North-West Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, in 1819–20–21–22–23–24–25, in his Majesty’s ships Hecla, Griper and Fury, under the orders of Capt. W. E. Parry, R.N.F.R.S. and commander of the expedition, vol. 3. London: John Murray, Albermarle Street.