Over exposed
Warmer winters means less snow, which could spell disaster for white mountain hares.
It has brown fur in the spring and summer, but it has evolved to turn itself white in the winter to camouflage itself againt the snowy peaks. Johnny Keeling has been watching wildlife since he was young, and the mountain hare fascinates him. Close up, a hare's fur appears soft and dense - even when the air is freezing cold, hares are happy to sit on the snow feeding. When the weather warms and the snow melts the mountain hares have to change colour and before they do they stand out well on the dark background. This means the hares are more skittish, they feel more secure when their camouflage works well. As global warming becomes more of a problem, this may pose a real risk to the mountain hare. The on-average warmer winters we are having in the UK means there is less snow and whilst still white they are an easy target for predators against the dark background of the hills. All this could increase the stress on the animals which in turn may affect their breeding. As the hares live at the top of the mountains already, they can't migrate anywhere colder as there is no more mountain top. Unfortunately, the hares are stuck and global warming could see the end of them.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
UK autumn wildlife
The best of British seasonal wildlife highlights in video.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Nature
Be captivated, informed and inspired by the world's wildlife.
More clips from Signs of Change with Chris Packham
-
Breaking the chain
Duration: 03:16
-
Future wild
Duration: 04:26
-
Lifeboat limits
Duration: 01:46
-
Signs of Change with Chris Packham
Duration: 00:20
More clips from Springwatch
-
Hannah Stitfall discovers RSPB Arne's reptiles
Duration: 02:53
-
Hannah Stitfall goes behind the scenes on Springwatch
Duration: 01:18
-
Enjoy the calmness of a kelp forest
Duration: 01:11