Home range dynamics of mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in the Swiss Alps.

Little is known on the ecology and behaviour of the alpine mountain hare
(Lepus timidus). Between 1996 and 1997, we analysed by radiotracking the pattern of space
use of 8 mountain hares from the Swiss Alps. We estimated home range size using both the
kernel density estimator and the minimum convex polygon. We found smaller ranges (38
ha) compared to those reported for the species in boreal or arctic habitats, but similar to
ranges in Scotland. Hares did not use a centre of major activity (core area) and showed high
home range overlap, confirming their non-territorial behaviour. Smaller ranges were used
during winter compared to the other seasons, whilst no difference in size was found
between sexes.