| Springhare Fossil range: Early Pliocene - Recent |
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||||
| Pedetes capensis (Forster, 1778) |
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Pedetes caffer |
The Springhare (Pedetes capensis), or Springhaas, is not actually a hare, but a member of the order Rodentia; it is the only species in its family Pedetidae and in the genus Pedetes. In Scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different Scientific names used for a single Taxon. Hares and jackrabbits are Leporids belonging to the Genus Lepus. Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must Synonyms are P. caffer or P. cafer.
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Characteristics
The Springhare resembles a small kangaroo (though unrelated) with well-developed hind legs, which allows it to leap over 2 meters in a single bound. A kangaroo is a Marsupial from the family Macropodidae (macropods meaning 'large foot' It is for this ability which it gets its name. This animal grows to be around 35–45 cm in length excluding its long tail, and weighs an average of 3 kg. The tail adds to another 36–47 cm 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. Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described They have four toes on their hind feet with claws that look like small hoofs; these are wider than those found on the forefeet. HoofRearHoovesjpg|thumb|200px|right|Rear hooves of a horse]] A hoof is the tip of a Toe of an Ungulate Mammal, strengthened by a thick horny ( 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. The tragus is a small pointed eminence of the External ear, situated in front of the Concha, and projecting backward over the meatus.
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 they are about half grown. 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 This extended period of parental care helps to mitigate a birth-rate that is, among rodents, remarkably low[1].
Behavior
Springhares are mostly nocturnal but are occasionally active in the day. As an Animal behavior, nocturnality describes sleeping during the Daytime and being active at Night - the opposite of the diurnal 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 to 250 meters of its burrow. Home range is a concept that can be traced back to a publication in 1943 by W It may expand its area during a drought.
Status
The Springhare was listed as vulnerable by the IUCN in 1996 due to an approximately 20% decrease in the population over the last ten years. This has been caused by intense hunting and the loss of habitat. In 2001 their status was reclassified to least concern (LC).
References
- ^ Butynski, Thomas M. (1984). in Macdonald, D. : The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File, 634-635. ISBN 0-87196-871-1.
- Grubb (2004). Pedetes capensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List) created in 1963 is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
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