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Cape springhare - PEDETES CAPENSIS
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Springhare": "Springhare" is probably the English version of the Afrikaans (South African Dutch) word "springhaas," which means "springing rabbit." It is not, however, closely related to a rabbit.
Location: Specific areas from Tanzania through the tip of South Africa.
Habitat: Arid, open terrain, preferably where the soil is sandy
Description: The springhare resembles a small kangaroo, with its small front legs and very powerful hind limbs. It has large eyes and long ears. The coat is long and soft and yellowish-brown in color with blackish highlights on the head and back. The terminal halt of the tail is black. Length of head and body is up to 16 inches, with the tail even longer. It weighs up to 9 lbs.
Behavior: The nocturnal springhare lives in a complex burrow system, with a great many different openings to the surface, which may be blocked oft from the inside in some cases. When it emerges from its burrow it appears to leap into the air, evidently to avoid any enemy lurking near the exit. It is completely vegetarian and feeds on bulbs, tubers, and roots. It can cause great damage to crops. It covers several miles a night, especially when there is little water about and food is scarce.
Reproduction: The two to four young are born in the burrow. The female has two pairs of nipples.
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