After post-tropical storm Fiona, there has been an apparent increase in snowshoe hares sightings across Prince Edward Island, according to a wildlife biologist. Garry Gregory from P.E.I.’s fish and wildlife division revealed that Islanders have been observing more snowshoe hares, often mistaken for rabbits, in their yards. Although there is no official data tracking the surge in snowshoe hare population, changes in the landscape since Fiona suggest a plausible increase.
The aftermath of the 2022 storm left dense debris in forests across P.E.I., providing ideal escape cover for hares. This cover facilitated their survival, potentially leading to a rise in the hare population. As the debris breaks down over time, the advantage gained by hares will gradually diminish. Additionally, the storm’s impact on forest canopies allowed early successional plants to flourish, which serve as essential winter food sources for snowshoe hares.
The enhanced habitat benefits not only snowshoe hares but also other wildlife species like songbirds and American woodcock. Gregory mentioned that while more hares on the ground may not necessarily mean an increase in predators on P.E.I., the local predators are generalists and prey on a variety of species.
For Islanders encountering hares in their yards, Gregory advised against feeding them, as hares typically feed on grass and herbaceous plants in summer. Feeding the hares could also attract them closer to dogs, potentially leading to harm. Moreover, reports of hares with ticks have been on the rise, but the tick species found on hares are not the primary concern for Lyme disease and are usually specific to wild hares and rabbits.
Overall, the surge in snowshoe hare sightings post-Fiona indicates a possible population increase due to the altered landscape conditions that have provided favorable habitats for these animals.