One of the great aspects of winter is that we are able to observe wildlife in a different way. Discovering what animal tracks pass through your yard may give you a better idea of what wildlife you may see. After all, many animals, like the snowshoe, hare have an unusual lifestyle and such fantastic camouflage that you would probably never know they were there - besides the evidence of their tracks.

The snowshoe hare, also known as the varying hare, is one of eight species of hare in North America. However, the snowshoe hare has the widest distribution and can be found in areas with heavy snow like: Canada, New England, Adirondacks and has been found as far south as Virginia.

The snowshoe hare's coat changes from brown to white and vise versa, because of the changes in day length.

In autumn, the hare changes its brown colored coat to a white colored coat. However, this change does not happen all at once. The process is slow with patches of white speckling the brown coat. This helps the hare blend in with its surroundings - brown leaves and vegetation dusted with snow.

By the time winter arrives, the snowshoe hare is completely white. Well, almost completely white. The snowshoe hare actually has a gray colored coat, with white tips. Yet, no matter how we look at it, its winter coat is a life saver. It camouflages the animal from predators and conserves up to 25 percent more warmth than its summer coat.

One of the most distinguishing features on the snowshoe hare is its feet. In fact, they tend to be designed for the sole purpose of snow travel! When there is deep snow the hare is able to support itself on the surface while others may sink.

This characteristic gives the hare an advantage over others because as the snow falls they are able to eat fresh twigs.

Some of their favorite winter foods include twigs and bark of willow, aspen, birch, alder, pine, spruce and fir trees.

If you are wondering why you have not seen many snowshoe hares it may be because they are nocturnal.

Occasionally they may be seen moving about during the day but for the most part they like to rest and relax in their “forms.”

A form is a sheltered structure such as a pile of evergreen branches or a hollowed out log found above ground.

If danger presents itself, the hare will hide out in its form and rely on its camouflage to go unnoticed.

However, if danger persists and the hare needs to escape; it will do so by running up to 30 miles an hour.

If running is not good enough the hare may leap up to 12 feet at a bound.

And finally, how would you know if a snowshoe hare crossed your lawn? Well, look for tracks that have two small footprints behind two larger footprints. Or call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County at 255-1183.

Renee Jensen is a community educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County