Springhare: Pedetidae - Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Springhares And People - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, CONSERVATION STATUS
Springhares can be found in Angola, Botswana, Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists springhares as Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. This is due to the fact that their population is decreasing from poor habitat quality and hunting by humans.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Books:
Alderton, David. Rodents of the World. New York: Facts on File, 1996.
Gould, Dr. Edwin, and Dr. George McKay, eds. Encyclopedia of Mammals, 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1998.
Nowak, Ronald M. "Springhare, or Springhaas." In Walker's Mammals of the World,6th ed. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999.
Web sites:
Jackson, A. "Pedetes capensis." Animal Diversity Web. http://animal-diversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pedetes_capensis.html (accessed on May 21, 2004).
Additional Topics
Springhares look like very small kangaroos. Their name actually means "jumping hare" in Afrikaans (one of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa). They have a body length of 13 to 17 inches (33 to 44 centimeters) when standing upright on their hind legs, a tail length of 14 to 19 inches (35 to 49 centimeters), and weigh 6 to 9 pounds (2 to 5 kilograms). Springhares ha…
Springhares live in areas that have dry and sandy soil. They also live where there are cattle grazing and crop cultivation (areas where preparation for growing crops is occurring). They stay away from rocky ground and areas with a lot of trees, and live in grassland areas. Springhares build burrows (also known as warrens) for shelter and protection in the grasslands. They will oftentimes build mor…
Springhares mostly eat grass stems, bulbs, and fleshy roots. When they live in crop-cultivated areas, they will eat corn, peanuts, barley, oats, and wheat. Sometimes, they eat plant stems. This can be seen especially in grazed areas where they eat the lower stems or roots after other animals have already eaten the upper grass layers. When they have a very difficult time finding food, they will eat…
When springhares sleep, they sit on their hind legs, with their front feet and head in between their thighs and their tail placed around their head and body. They sleep during the day, because they are nocturnal (active at night), although they can
The springhare uses its powerful hind legs to jump quickly, and may also use its hind legs to fight an attacking animal. (© Gregory G. Dimij…
Humans hunt springhares in areas where they cause damage to crops. The springhares cause problems by destroying seed and root systems in these areas. They can also be hunted as a source of food to humans, especially in South Africa. People may also kill them for their fur. One method they use to capture springhares, whether for fur or food, is to flood their burrows with water, so that the springh…
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