Your American History Reference Guide! - Springhare

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The Springhare, or Springhaas (Pedetes capensis) is not actually a hare, but a member of the order Rodentia; it is the only species in its family Pedetidae. Synonyms are P. caffer or P. cafer.

The springhare resembles a small kangaroo (although the two are clearly unrelated) with well-developed hind legs, which allows it to leap over 2 meters in a single bound. It is for this ability which it gets its name. This animal grows to be around 35-45 cms in length excluding its long tail, and weighs an average of 3 kg. The tail adds to another 36-47 cms 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.

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