FaunaHub

Springhare (Pedetes capensis)

MammalRodentAfrica

Springhare (Pedetes capensis), a hopping African rodent with long hind legs and a bushy tail.

Springhare (Pedetes capensis).

Image: Jan Ebr, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

The springhare (Pedetes capensis) is a nocturnal African rodent that looks and moves like a miniature kangaroo. Despite the name, it is neither a hare nor a kangaroo: it is a rodent with very long, powerful hind legs, short front limbs, big eyes and ears, and a long bushy tail. It bounds across the ground in long hops and uses its tail for balance, exactly the way a kangaroo does.

Springhares are a striking case of convergent evolution — a rodent that independently arrived at the same hopping body plan as Australia's marsupial kangaroos.

Note: the related East African springhare is sometimes treated as a separate species; details here use Pedetes capensis as a reference. Treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Springhares live in dry, open habitats across much of southern and eastern Africa — savanna, grassland, scrub, and semi-desert — favouring areas with sandy or soft soil suitable for digging. They shelter by day in burrows they excavate, and emerge at night to feed.

Diet

Springhares are herbivores that feed mainly on grasses, roots, bulbs, and other plant matter, and they also take some seeds and occasionally insects. They graze and dig for underground plant parts at night, often staying within a short distance of a burrow entrance so they can retreat quickly if alarmed.

Behavior

Springhares are nocturnal and largely solitary, hopping on their long hind legs and using the bushy tail for balance as they move and feed. By day they rest in burrow systems, often plugging the entrance from inside for safety, and they bolt underground at the first sign of danger. Interestingly, springhares have been found to be biofluorescent — their fur glows under ultraviolet light — though the purpose of this, if any, is not yet understood.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Springhares are hunted for meat in parts of Africa and can sometimes damage crops where farmland meets their habitat, but they remain widespread overall. Their burrowing turns over soil, and they are prey for many predators, making them part of healthy savanna ecosystems. Consult authoritative sources for current status.

More photos of the springhare

A springhare at night, showing its kangaroo-like build.

Springhare (Pedetes capensis).

Image: Christiaan Viljoen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Springhare

Is a springhare a hare or a kangaroo?
Neither. Despite hopping like a kangaroo and being called a 'hare,' the springhare is actually a rodent. Its kangaroo-like body — long hind legs, short forelimbs, and a balancing tail — evolved independently, a classic example of convergent evolution rather than close relationship.
How does a springhare move?
It bounds across the ground in long hops powered by strong hind legs, using its long bushy tail for balance, much like a kangaroo. This hopping (saltatorial) gait lets it cover ground quickly and make sudden escapes toward its burrow.
Do springhares really glow?
Yes — research has shown that springhares are biofluorescent, meaning their fur glows when exposed to ultraviolet light. This trait has been documented in both captive and wild animals, though scientists do not yet know what function, if any, it serves.
What do springhares eat?
Springhares are herbivores, feeding mainly on grasses, roots, and bulbs, plus some seeds and the occasional insect. They forage at night, often digging for underground plant parts and staying close to a burrow so they can dart to safety.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.