Springhare

Springhare is a rodent that lives in eastern and southern Africa. It is also called springhaas. Springhares live in long burrows with one or many entrances and are active mainly at night. Springhares often bound along like kangaroos, using only their long hind limbs. They may jump as far as 10 feet (3 meters) in one bound.

Springhare
Springhare

A springhare has long ears and a long tail. The animal has a tan upper body and whitish underparts. A patch of white fur runs along the inside and front of each thigh and up onto the back. The tail has a black tuft at the end. Adult springhares are 14 to 17 inches (35 to 43 centimeters) long, not including their 15- to 20-inch (37- to 47-centimeter) tail. They weigh up to 9 pounds (4 kilograms).

Springhares feed chiefly on the bulbs and roots of plants. Adult springhares usually live alone, but a pair with young may live together in one or more burrows. Adult female springhares may give birth more than once a year. One offspring is usually born at a time.