In the winter, arctic hares are white with black ear-tips. A variety of intermediate forms are found between these localities. The underfur is dense and gray. Guard hares are longer and black-tipped. Adult weight ranges from 7 to 12 pounds.
Northern forms tend to be larger.
The claws of the arctic hare, especially those of the forefeet, are elongate and curved. The staple food for the arctic hare consists of woody plants. May. By late May the fetuses are well-developed. The young are born in late May, June, or July, depending on geographic locality. On the mainland birth usually occurs by June 10, whereas in northern Greenland and on Ellesmere Island young are generally not born until late July.