Mountain Hare sculpture
The Mountain Hare lives in the Scottish Highlands and the north of England in upland areas. It is most common on heathland, where it nibbles on vegetation, grazing heather, rush, sedge, and the bark of young trees and bushes.
It is also known as the White Hare, Tundra Hare, Alpine Hare, or Snow Hare due to its late-season moult into white in preparation for the winter months. This white or largely-white pelage helps with camouflage on its snowy high moorland and mountain habitat.
Mountain Hare sculpture is carved in white Portland Limestone to show a winter coat and the hare crouches low, ears flat against its back, and eyes narrowed against the harsh wind.
I’m interested that their Latin name Lepus Timidus suggests an apprehensive hare, one that is perhaps fearful or afraid. Perhaps it is just that they are native to the wild Highlands of Scotland, and inaccessible tundra and therefore not so often encountered, or in general are tucked away sheltering and conserving energy.