The arctic hare is nocturnal and crepuscular. It is solitary much of the time, but it is known to form groups of 100 to 300 animals. Most of the group rests and feeds, others remain alert. The hare is active throughout the year and is able to survive the arctic winters with a combination of behavioral and physiological traits. The animals huddle together in excavated snow shelters or behind boulders.
Arctic hares have small home ranges and tend to follow familiar paths as they forage.
Arctic hares use their modified incisors to forage on snow-covered arctic plants. The incisors of hares in Greenland, where the snow is deep and lasts long, protrude farther than the incisors of southern hares. The arctic hare can reach speeds of 64 km per hour. It can swim across narrow streams. If they are pursued closely, they again use a two-legged gait.