After post-tropical storm Fiona, there has been an apparent increase in snowshoe hare sightings on Prince Edward Island, according to a provincial wildlife biologist. Garry Gregory from P.E.I.’s fish and wildlife division mentioned that Islanders have been observing more “rabbits” in their yards, although these animals are actually snowshoe hares, not native rabbits. While there is no formal tracking data confirming a rise in the snowshoe hare population, Gregory stated that alterations to the landscape following Fiona make it reasonable to suspect an increase.
The storm in 2022 left behind dense forest debris across P.E.I., providing ideal escape cover for hares with brush piles, fallen trees, and thick patches of deadfall. This cover has enabled more hares to survive, potentially leading to a population bump. As the debris breaks down and coniferous trees shed their needles over time, the advantages gained by hares from the storm will gradually diminish.
The disturbance created by Fiona also allowed sunlight to reach the forest floor, fostering the growth of early successional plants that are essential winter food sources for snowshoe hares. These plants include willows, grey birch, maples, and pin cherry, providing prime forage availability for hares during winter months.
The new habitat benefits not only snowshoe hares but also other wildlife such as songbirds like chestnut-sided and yellow warblers, American woodcock, and ruffed grouse. While the increase in hares may not necessarily result in a rise in predator numbers on P.E.I., Gregory emphasized that predators on the island are generalists, feeding on various prey including snowshoe hares.
For Islanders encountering hares in their yards, Gregory advised that there is usually no need for intervention unless the hares are nibbling on vegetable gardens. Hares tend to avoid humans and are most active at dawn and dusk. Feeding them is unnecessary and can potentially attract them closer to dogs, resulting in harmful interactions. Additionally, Gregory addressed concerns about ticks on hares, mentioning that the species commonly found on hares are not the ones posing a Lyme disease threat and are generally specific to wild hares and rabbits.
The rise in tick reports on hares may be attributed to increased public awareness about ticks and Lyme disease, coupled with more people being able to capture photos of the infestations with their phones. Gregory reassured that ticks on hares are typically normal and do not have severe health impacts on the animals unless the infestation is severe.
