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Animal profile

South African Springhare

Pedetes capensis

MammaliaDry grassland, savanna and semi-desert with sandy, diggable soilLeast Concern

Field profile

The South African springhare is a large nocturnal rodent that moves in long bipedal hops, resembling a small kangaroo. It grazes on short grass near its burrow and digs extensive tunnel systems in sandy soil. It is not a hare and is not related to kangaroos.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2023-09-12

South African Springhare

Springhare fur glows pink under ultraviolet light

Under ultraviolet illumination, springhare fur fluoresces in patchy pinks and oranges. Springhares are the first thoroughly documented case of biofluorescence in an Old World placental mammal.

Read with evidence →

South African Springhare | Daily Animal Facts