a mountain hare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mountain hare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific species of hare that is adapted to mountainous regions, often in discussions about wildlife or nature. Example: "During our hike, we were lucky enough to spot a mountain hare darting across the snow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A mountain hare in Cairngorms national park, Scotland.

The Guardian

We find ourselves walking in the footprints of a mountain hare – the dash-dash-dot of Morse code – who has taken shelter nearby.

The Guardian

If you want to see a mountain hare (turned white in winter), a spangled golden plover or a peregrine falcon, pull on a pair of boots and come to the Peak.

The Guardian - Travel

At first we saw nothing, but eventually we flushed a ptarmigan, which flew croaking into the distance; followed immediately by a mountain hare, which ran off almost from beneath our feet.

The Guardian

He added, "Photographing a mountain hare at close quarters is a joy and one of the most fulfilling wildlife experiences". .

BBC

A white shape dashing off across a heather moor at this time of year will almost certainly be a mountain hare.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A subspecies of the mountain hare is found throughout Ireland, to altitudes as low as sea-level. .

BBC

In winter, a few years ago, I lay on one of these, prone in deep snow, watching half a dozen mountain hares, blue-tinged against the white, the western sky streaked with pink.

The Guardian

We plunged downhill through knee-deep drifts and jubilantly raised our binoculars, only to discover that what appeared to be a bobbing black-tipped ptarmigan tail was actually a pair of twitching black-tipped mountain hare ears.

The Guardian

The mountain hare, L. timidus, a boreal/arctic species widely distributed all over the northern Palearctic, has often been found to be the donor, and introgression of mtDNA from this species may affect the northern part of the ranges of many temperate species distributed across Eurasia, from the Iberian Peninsula to China (Alves et al. 2008).

Genome Biology and Evolution

The mountain hare and the ptarmigan, a grouse, take on white coats for winter.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "a mountain hare", consider specifying its location (e.g., Scottish Highlands, Alps) for added context, as mountain hares inhabit various mountainous regions.

Common error

Avoid using "a mountain hare" interchangeably with other hare species like brown hares or rabbits. Mountain hares are specifically adapted to mountainous environments, unlike their lowland counterparts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mountain hare" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific species of hare adapted to mountainous regions. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from wildlife photography to conservation discussions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mountain hare" is a noun phrase that identifies a specific species of hare adapted to mountainous environments. Ludwig AI shows that it's grammatically correct and is most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias contexts. While "a mountain hare" is an uncommon term, it accurately describes a unique animal. When using the term, remember its specific habitat and avoid confusing it with other hare species. Consider using "highland hare" or "alpine hare" as more geographically specific alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mountain hare

Omits the indefinite article "a".

a highland hare

Replaces "mountain" with "highland", denoting a similar geographical characteristic.

an alpine hare

Replaces "mountain" with "alpine", specifying a different mountainous region.

the mountain hare

Uses the definite article "the" instead of the indefinite article "a", indicating a specific mountain hare.

a snow hare

Focuses on the hare's winter coat color, which is often white.

a hare of the mountains

Rephrases the term to emphasize the hare's habitat.

a Lepus timidus

Uses the scientific name of the mountain hare.

a hill hare

Replaces "mountain" with "hill", denoting a similar but smaller geographical feature.

a tundra hare

Suggests a broader, colder environment, though related to mountainous regions.

a lagomorph of mountainous regions

Describes the animal in terms of its order and habitat, providing a more general description.

FAQs

Where do mountain hares typically live?

Mountain hares, as their name suggests, primarily inhabit mountainous regions. They are found in areas such as the Scottish Highlands, the Alps, and parts of Scandinavia. Their habitat often includes moorland and tundra.

What is the scientific name for "a mountain hare"?

The scientific name for the mountain hare is Lepus timidus.

How does "a mountain hare" adapt to winter?

Mountain hares are known for their adaptation to winter conditions, most notably their coat turning white for camouflage. This helps them blend in with snowy environments. Other animals that change coat color include ptarmigan and stoats.

What are some alternative ways to describe "a mountain hare"?

You can use alternative descriptions like "highland hare" or "alpine hare" to specify their habitat. Also, in winter you can call it "snow hare".