The Ezo snow rabbit, popular for its pure white, fluffy appearance, is an icon of Hokkaido's winter. But have you ever seen the soles of its feet? They have no paw pads and are surprisingly large. A photo captured by a photographer has become a hot topic on social media, revealing an incredible evolution for surviving Hokkaido's harsh nature. The photo that was posted shows a pure white, fluffy Ezo snow rabbit. However, what surprised many people were the soles of its feet. The large paws are about the same size as its head and ears! Moreover, there are no paw pads like those on a dog or cat. The soles are densely covered with fur. The post received over 4,000 reposts, with users exclaiming, "No paw pads!" "Unexpectedly huge!" and "So cute!"

Why no paw pads? An evolution for running on snow

A shot of the Ezo snow rabbit taken by Sachiko Tsuchiya. Its speed is palpable from the photo.

The photo was taken by Sachiko Tsuchiya, a photographer who captures wildlife in Hokkaido. The reason Ezo snow rabbits don't have paw pads lies in their evolution to survive the harsh winters of Hokkaido. Instead of paw pads, the long fur covering the soles of their feet acts as a non-slip grip on the snow. Furthermore, the fur allows their feet to spread out like a cushion, acting like natural snowshoes and enabling them to run on deep snow without sinking.

Despite their adorable appearance, Ezo snow rabbits possess incredible physical abilities. In her post, Ms. Tsuchiya explained their remarkable speed:

The Ezo snow rabbit captivates many with its pure white winter coat and charming looks. But hidden on the soles of its feet is the wisdom and evolution that allow it to survive on the snowy plains of Hokkaido.