The springhare resembles a small kangaroo with well-developed hind legs, which allows it to leap over in a single bound. It gets its name from this ability. This animal grows to be around in length excluding its long tail, and weighs an average of. The tail adds to another 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 insects. They have four toes on their hind feet with claws that look like small hooves; these are wider than those found on the fore feet. 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 young 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 birthrate that is, among rodents, remarkably low.
Behaviour
Springhares are mostly 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. Springhares tend to only reside in any given burrow for a few consecutive days at most. 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 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 a number of other species, including the black-footed cat and the ground pangolin. The South African springhare is listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN.
