Springhares can be found in Southern and Eastern Africa amid semi-arid steppes and dry savannahs. They prefer habitats of sandy soil in which they can burrow, with limited amounts of rocks or shrubs that would interfere with their locomotion.
The springhare’s front legs are much smaller than the hind legs and they have sharp claws used for burrowing. It has a skin flap at the base of its ear, which it can close over when it is burrowing to prevent sand getting inside the ear canal.
Diet consists of vegetation such as grasses and bulbs, but the springhare also eats sprouts, fruits and herbs. Current taxonomy of the springhare is:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Suborder: Anomaluromorpha
- Family: Pedetidae
- Genus: Pedetes
- Species: P. capensis
Springhare Locomotion and Behaviour
The springhare caused scientists some confusion due to its appearance and method of locomotion. It was once grouped with porcupines and then alongside scaly-tailed squirrels before eventually getting its own family.
Due to well-developed hind legs the springhare is able to make huge leaps of 20-30 feet and just like a kangaroo it uses its tail for balance. Hopping is an efficient mode of travel and springhares can travel quite fast and have been known to cover distances of up to 40km (25 miles) in search of water.
The springhare has very keen senses. It has fantastic sight, hearing and scent but in addition, the springhare can pick up vibrations from the ground through its large feet. The resting posture of the springhare may also aid in the ability to feel vibrations as it sits with the top of the head and ears touching the ground.
Springhares are generally nocturnal but can be quite active during the day also. They can reside in the same place with up to 30-40 other springhares and while burrows might be linked, the burrows themselves are for individuals, a mother and her offspring or a pair of springhares. Springhares close the entrance to their burrows once they are inside by filling the hole with sand.
Sexual maturity is reached at 1 year of age and each female will have 3-4 young per year. Young can sit up from day one and can run by day two. Lifespan of the springhare is 10 years.
Threats and Predators of the Springhare
Springhare predators can include medium to large carnivores such as jackals, owls, feral cats, lions and leopards. Although the species is common and widespread, humans can also be a threat to the springhare.
It is estimated that 2.5 million springhare are killed by indigenous people in Botswana. Aside from food, the springhare is used for skins to make food and water containers as well as mats and thread.
Resource and further reading:
For more information about the springhare visit the African Wildlife Foundation and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species websites.
Roberta Goli - Roberta has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Zoology), has worked with animals for over 10 years and enjoys writing short stories and flash ...
