Abstract
Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) collected from the Stokes Bay area of the Bruce Peninsula, Ontario appeared to inhabit a markedly Na+-deficient habitat as evidenced by the low Na+ concentrations found in vegetation, precipitation, soil, and water samples taken from that area. The percentage of the area of adrenal gland occupied by zona glomerulosa tissue was significantly larger in hares collected during breeding season (especially in pregnant females) than in hares collected during the winter. Preliminary studies also showed plasma aldosterone levels to be elevated in breeding females. Both observations are suggestive of an increased need for Na+ conservation and (or) K+ excretion. Plasma Na+ was depressed and plasma K+ elevated in hares collected in the summer compared with winter levels, whereas muscle Na+ and K+ did not show any age–sex or seasonally related changes. Analyses of urine and faeces suggested that the hares were maximally conserving Na+ while at the same time excreting excess K+.
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