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The ice might have melted across much of the UK but this Mountain Hare looks like it really has gone mad for March as it rolls in the snow.

Wildlife photographer Kate Macrae braved the sub zero temperatures of the Scottish Highlands to get these shots of the unusual behaviour.

She had gone to the Findhorn Valley when she spotted the hares and at first thought they had slipped.

But as she took pictures, she realised that in fact they were rolling in the snow.

(Image: Kate Macrae/SWNS.com)

Kate, 50, from Lichfield, Staffs, who blogs as Wildlife Kate, said: "This hare ran across the plateau in front of me and then suddenly it was upside down, legs in the air.

"I thought it had slipped at first and the images I captured looked like it had.

"In fact, the dense fur on their large feet ensure that they are incredibly sure footed, even in the most treacherous of conditions.

"The mountain hare often roll in the snow in this way. There are various thoughts about why they do this.

"Some think it is for scent marking, others suggest it is to help keep the coat in good condition, in the same way that other animals may dust bathe.

(Image: Kate Macrae/SWNS.com)

"It is certainly essential to keep their coats in tip-top condition as with temperatures, with wind-chill, reaching near -20 degrees, these coats are their key to survival."

The mountain hare differs from the more common brown hare by getting a white coat for the winter.

They go through three changes during the year, from October to January they change from brown with a greyish blue twinge to almost full white.

From February until May their coats become a mottled brown and white before reverting back to the full summer brown with a white tail.

(Image: Kate Macrae/SWNS.com)

Unlike rabbits hares don't burrow but live in shallow scrapes called forms.

In the winter months hares are often completely covered in snow with just their heads visible above the snow, which acts as insulation against the bitter winds which can reach as low as minus 40 with the wind chill.

In 1906 Scottish Mountain Hares were given a separate subspecies of Lepus timidus scoticus.

Kate added: "We hiked up to a plateau where the snow was thigh deep at times.

(Image: Kate Macrae/SWNS.com)

"The wind was bitter and blowing dusty snow across the landscape it was spectacular.

"Every now and then, the sun would shine and lift the landscape into a stunning winter wonderland, interspersed with Mountain Hare.

"It was a truly wonderful experience and makes you appreciate how well equipped these hares are, for winter conditions."