Breeding Behaviour

Male Display | Investigative | Aggressive | Sexual

Investigative Behaviour

In order for breeding to progress, male Arctic hares (Lepus arcticus) have to find females and assess their sexual status by smell. Thus, the major investigative behaviour during the breeding season is the approach by adult males to any other individual. Each male is searching for a receptive female with which to copulate. He will know if she is receptive by her scent (hormones) and her behaviour (not aggressive).

The investigating male usually moves cautiously, with hesitant steps, twitching nose and forward ears. The male usually approaches from a downwind position, often requiring a circling approach. If the approaching male is upwind and the individual under investigation is unaware of his approach, the approaching hare may touch the rear of the other. This may lead to an aggressive encounter if the approached hare is not a receptive female.

A male Arctic hare with ears in a position like the letter V approaches a female.

Usually males approach any individual that approaches the group, regardless of whether it's an unknown hare or a straying member returning to a group. At the height of the breeding season, these approaches become more common and, at times, almost frantic as several males circle and investigate the same individual and even each other. The reaction of the female determines the approaching hare's next move. If the female leaves, he may chase after her. He may simply depart after sniffing, he may face aggression or he may approach more closely and initiate sexual contact.

Hare Searching Lines

Besides approaching females in the group, in late April and early May males at Sverdrup Pass on Ellesmere Island were seen by David Gray making direct searching movements in a straight line, across the pass, up into moraines and into boulder fields, presumably looking for other females. They travel with ears held up in a V-position and appear more 'intent' than normal. On reaching a boulder the male hare will check all around the base, sniffing intently, before moving on to another location. Males may travel out of their normal home range, but only for short distances.

The constant checking of all individuals and the searching behaviour of males would mean that all receptive females in an area would likely be encountered by at least one male.