Springhare
Encyclopedia
The springhare or springhaas, is not actually a hare
, but a member of the order Rodent
ia. It is one of a number of species in the genus Pedetes
, and is native to southern Africa. Synonyms are P. caffer or P. cafer.
(though unrelated) with well-developed hind legs, which allows it to leap over 2 m (6.6 ft) in a single bound. It is for this ability that it gets its name. This animal grows to be around 35 centimetre in length excluding its long tail, and weighs an average of 3 kg (6.6 lb). The tail adds to another 36 centimetre in length. The colour of this mammal varies from a reddish-brown to a pale grey, with a black tip on the tail. The springhare lives only in south-eastern Africa
, feeding on plant matter and even occasionally insect
s. They have four toes on their hind feet with claws that look like small hoof
s; these are wider than those found on the forefeet. They have a thick muscular neck supporting their short head. They also have large eyes, and their ears have a tragus that prevents sand from entering when they are digging.
Springhares breed throughout the year. The females give birth to a single infant about three times a year. Unlike some other rodents, which have blind and hairless young, springhares are born furred, and are active within a very short time of birth. However, they are not weaned
and do not leave the burrow until they are about half grown. This extended period of parental care helps to mitigate a birth-rate that is, among rodents, remarkably low.
but are occasionally active in the day. During the daytime, they live in tunnels that they dig. They plug the entrance of the hole with soil from the inside of the tunnel. It is easier for them to dig during the rainy season when the soil is wet. Sometimes they leap out of their burrows when they come out at night. The springhare jumps like a kangaroo on its hind legs, retreating to its burrow when frightened.
It has been found that a pair of springhares may occupy many different burrows on different days. They tend to make three burrows together in a circular shape. These burrows are mostly found near the largest tree or bush within their home range. The springhare's home range
is within 25 metre of its burrow. It may expand its area during a drought.
The springhare's unoccupied burrows are sometimes used for hiding during the daytime by the Black-footed cat
.
Hare
Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets. Four species commonly known as types of hare are classified outside of Lepus: the hispid hare , and three species known as red rock hares .Hares are very fast-moving...
, but a member of the order Rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
ia. It is one of a number of species in the genus Pedetes
Pedetes
Pedetes is a genus of rodent in the Pedetidae family. Members of the genus are distributed across southern Africa and also occur in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.-Species:...
, and is native to southern Africa. Synonyms are P. caffer or P. cafer.
Characteristics
The springhare resembles a small kangarooKangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
(though unrelated) with well-developed hind legs, which allows it to leap over 2 m (6.6 ft) in a single bound. It is for this ability that it gets its name. This animal grows to be around 35 centimetre in length excluding its long tail, and weighs an average of 3 kg (6.6 lb). The tail adds to another 36 centimetre in length. The colour of this mammal varies from a reddish-brown to a pale grey, with a black tip on the tail. The springhare lives only in south-eastern Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, feeding on plant matter and even occasionally insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s. They have four toes on their hind feet with claws that look like small hoof
Hoof
A hoof , plural hooves or hoofs , is the tip of a toe of an ungulate mammal, strengthened by a thick horny covering. The hoof consists of a hard or rubbery sole, and a hard wall formed by a thick nail rolled around the tip of the toe. The weight of the animal is normally borne by both the sole...
s; these are wider than those found on the forefeet. They have a thick muscular neck supporting their short head. They also have large eyes, and their ears have a tragus that prevents sand from entering when they are digging.
Springhares breed throughout the year. The females give birth to a single infant about three times a year. Unlike some other rodents, which have blind and hairless young, springhares are born furred, and are active within a very short time of birth. However, they are not weaned
Weaning
Weaning is the process of gradually introducing a mammal infant, either human or animal, to what will be its adult diet and withdrawing the supply of its mother's milk.The process takes place only in mammals, as only mammals produce milk...
and do not leave the burrow until they are about half grown. This extended period of parental care helps to mitigate a birth-rate that is, among rodents, remarkably low.
Behaviour
Springhares are mostly nocturnalNocturnal animal
Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by activity during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal"....
but are occasionally active in the day. During the daytime, they live in tunnels that they dig. They plug the entrance of the hole with soil from the inside of the tunnel. It is easier for them to dig during the rainy season when the soil is wet. Sometimes they leap out of their burrows when they come out at night. The springhare jumps like a kangaroo on its hind legs, retreating to its burrow when frightened.
It has been found that a pair of springhares may occupy many different burrows on different days. They tend to make three burrows together in a circular shape. These burrows are mostly found near the largest tree or bush within their home range. The springhare's home range
Home range
Home range is the area where an animal lives and travels in. It is closely related to, but not identical with, the concept of "territory".The concept that can be traced back to a publication in 1943 by W. H. Burt, who constructed maps delineating the spatial extent or outside boundary of an...
is within 25 metre of its burrow. It may expand its area during a drought.
The springhare's unoccupied burrows are sometimes used for hiding during the daytime by the Black-footed cat
Black-footed Cat
The black-footed cat is the smallest African cat, and is endemic in the south west arid zone of the southern African subregion. It is one of the lesser studied African carnivores, and has been listed as Vulnerable by IUCN since 2002....
.