The South African springhare (Pedetes capensis) is not a hare, nor a rabbit. It is a large rodent. It is a mammal.

The South African Spring Hare is cinnamon-brown to yellowish-gold with black-tipped hairs. Its underbelly is white to yellowish-white. It has an elongated body with long hind-legs (back legs) and shorter fore-legs (front legs). It has long sharp claws. It has large ears, large eyes, and a long bushy tail. Its fur is long and soft.

South African Springhare

It is called a Springhare because it can jump over 2 metres (79 inches) in a single bound.

It grows to be about 35–45 centimetres (14–18 inches) in length, not including its tail. Its tail measures 36–47 centimetres (14–19 inches) in length.

The Springhare lives only in southeastern Africa. It prefers sandy soil in open scrublands, near water. It lives in tunnels underground. It plugs the entrance of the tunnel with soil.

It is an herbivore, eating plants. It is nocturnal, feeding at night.

Females give birth to one young, which is born with fur and is active soon after birth.

South African Springhare

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM