That the hares are nocturnal also aids them in not being preyed on. If they have an advanced warning, they will usually be able to escape. This is because their trails zigzag throughout the bushy cover. However, the Snowshoe Hare usually just uses its camouflage and simply remaining motionless until the danger passes in order to avoid its predators. If need be, a hare will dive into ponds or rivers to escape predators because they are good swimmers.
Hares are usually immensely abundant.
Their existence affects almost every major predator in the north temperate forest community. They can affect the abundance and density of some of their predators. However, they also affect quite a few herbivores. They can compete with the deer and the moose for browse. Also, they are involved in the thinning of the dense patches of forest, especially after forest fires.