The winter white fur of the mountain hare changes colour to bluish-brown when the snow cover recedes in spring. The mountain hare lives above the treeline on meadows and moors, where it grazes on grass and low shrubs such as heather. It has many enemies on the mountains, including wildcats and golden eagles. The adults rely on their rapid sprinting speed for escape, but the younger, more vulnerable hares take refuge in burrows in the turf.