Pedetidae - Spring Hare

There are two species in this family, the spring hare and the East African spring hare. Spring hares are found in southern Africa in dry, open savannas that are free of rocks and bushes.

What might you get if you crossed a kangaroo with a rabbit? It might be a spring hare.

Spring hares look like mini kangaroos. They are about 17 inches in length and have large, rabbit-like ears; small front legs; large rear legs with long feet;  a long, bushy tail; and big, round eyes.

They have flaps on their ears that they can close to keep sand out. Spring hares use their long back legs to leap distances of 20-30 feet.

They use the sharp claws on their front legs for digging their burrows. Spring hares are nocturnal and live in their burrows.

They are herbivores and eat roots, stems, and fruit. They usually don’t travel more than a few hundred yards from their burrow in search of food.

Did You Know?

spring hare
The springhare looks like a cross between a kangaroo and a rabbit.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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