People have long lived alongside Arctic hares (Lepus arcticus), and have found them both useful and beautiful. Ancient, traditional and contemporary ways of life have all relied on the Arctic hare for practical items and food, and people have also incorporated the Arctic hare into their art and culture. Even travellers from other places are impressed by encounters with these intriguing mammals.

Young hunters after a trip to hunt Arctic hares, near Pond Inlet, early 1950s.		Carving of Arctic hare in ivory or antler by Ashevak of Spence Bay.
Ole Andreasen holding a dead Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) at Banks Island, Northwest Territories, during the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1914.		Carving of Arctic hare head at the bend of a cane made from the ivory of a narwhal's tusk (Monodon monocerus). Artist unknown; from Labrador.