Snowshoe Hare Scat and Tracks: How to Identify Them (Lepus americanus)

Rabbits and hares leave round, slightly flattened pellets of packed plant fiber, usually in scattered groups where they feed. Their bounding track pattern is distinctive: two long hind prints side by side ahead of two smaller front prints, one behind the other. Clean, angled cuts on twigs and bark at snow height are their feeding sign. The measurements below for Snowshoe Hare are quoted from the wildlife agencies linked at the bottom of the page.

• Where: Sometimes eats its own droppings to gain extra nutrition (coprophagy)

• Hind: The hind feet are very large with thick fur on the soles (especially in winter), letting the Snowshoe Hare run over soft snow without sinking in — the source of its name

No source with a verbatim, verifiable description of how to distinguish Snowshoe Hare from Eastern Cottontail droppings/tracks was found; the general rule is that hares are larger with longer ears, so do not guess based on size alone The Eastern Cottontail page has its own sign list.

Put something of known size next to it (a coin, a pen, a boot) and shoot straight down in soft light; low side light brings out the shape of tracks in mud or snow. For scat, photograph the whole deposit and one close-up showing contents. Note where it was: on a log, in the open, on a trail, near water. The app suggests the likely animal; confirm with the size and shape notes above.