Yahoo News UK's white mountain hares at risk from predators due to worst snowfall in 10 years
Britain's mountain hares are at greater risk from predators because of a lack of snow caused by the mild winter, conversationalists have warned.
White mountain hares are being made an easy target as they have nowhere to hide in the Scottish Highlands after the worst snowfall in 10 years.
The hares, which are Britain's only arctic animals, change colour from brown to white in the winter to camouflage themselves against the snow.
But pictures taken this week show them clearly visible in the Scottish Highlands, which are currently snowless due to mild temperatures and high winds.
I also noticed a change in the behaviour of the hares... they were much more nervous, probably as they were more open to predation
photographer David Gibbon
It means the creatures, which may have been here since the Ice Age, are now particularly vulnerable to predators such as golden eagles, foxes and stoats.
Rob Raynor, Scottish Natural Heritage's mammal specialist, said: "This year we have less snow in Scotland than usual.
"Every spring, while their fur is still mainly white, mountain hares have to deal with difficulties evading predators as the snow disappears and they're more visible against brown heather before they moult back to grey/brown.
"You can sometimes even see them among the brown heather when snow is nearby. But with less snow this year, the risk to hares of predators could begin earlier and be higher than normal."
The pictures were taken by David Gibbon, 44, from Durham, who along with his wife and fellow photographer Louise Gibbon, 39, spent a week picturing the hares near Cairn Gorm Mountain.
He said: "I've been visiting the Highlands for the past three winters and this is the first time I've been there and there hasn't been any snow.
"I also noticed a change in the behaviour of the hares this time - they were much more nervous, probably as they were more open to predation. I also saw a golden eagle circling above them as I photographed them.
"They are normally quite relaxed in the snow but this time they were much harder to photograph and it was more difficult to get close to them."
At a glance | Notable snow events in the UK
This winter has been described as the worst ski season for a decade, after a lack of snow due to fluctuating weather temperatures and strong winds.
The mountain hare lives in the Scottish Highlands and England's Peak District. In the summer, it has a brown coat but in preparation for winter it turns white.
