Snow bunnies in danger: faults from winter sports and climate change!

Snow bunnies in danger: faults from winter sports and climate change!

Innsbruck, Österreich - perfectly camouflaged in a thick, snow -white fur can hardly be better protected by the snowhase (Lepus Timidus). But in mild winters, he becomes the goal of predators, as the biologist Corina Lang reports from the Innsbruck Alpenzoo. Her knowledge is based on years of observation: "The change of fur makes up for the snow bunnies. If it is in the white, it can disappear wonderfully, but lack of snow transforms it into a slight prey." Especially in places with a lot of human activity, such as ski areas, the rabbit has to live extremely resource -friendly. Winter athletes can force him to consume a lot of energy, which can have fatal consequences for him in winter.

The life situation of the snow hare is also made more difficult by climate change and its confronted relatives. In mild winters, hikes (Lepus Europaeus) hike into the mountain regions and cross with the snow rabbits, which leads to the formation of hybrids. This development could ultimately endanger the survival of the original nature. In the Alps, the snow bunny is now considered an endangered animal species, but with numbers about the remaining population you are still in the dark. In South Tyrol and Germany, the snowhase was even recognized as an animal in 2025, which underlines its importance and the need for protection.

winter challenges and adjustments

Not only in the alpine room, the snow bunnies unfold its adaptability. The winter forest, as is described in Forest stories , offers the fur to protection and food. These animal residents are masters of adaptation: their dense fur, which changes depending on the season, protects them from the extreme temperatures. You will also find everything from buds to bark in the forests, which is crucial for your survival. Clever use the cover of the forest to escape the predator and optimize your way of life.