Scrub Hare
Lepus saxatilis
Scrub Hare, a herbivore in African savannas and rocky open areas.
| Scientific name | Lepus saxatilis |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Sungura wa msitu |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Lagomorpha |
| Family | Leporidae |
| Size | Male: 2.5-4.5 kg; Female: 2.5-4.5 kg |
How to identify
Medium to large body size, long ears with black tips; dorsal fur gray-brown with mottling, lighter-colored belly; strong hind legs adapted for jumping; short tail with distinct white base; large, prominent eyes adapted for night vision.
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, shrubland, rocky open areas, and semi-arid regions
Diet
Herbivorous, primarily feeding on grasses, shrub leaves, tender shoots, and rhizomes
When it is active
Mainly active at dawn, dusk, and night, avoiding daytime heat
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in southern Africa, including shrublands and grasslands in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
How to spot it
Observe quietly at dawn or dusk along shrub edges or open areas, use binoculars or telephoto lenses for photography
Photography tips
Use natural light during dawn or dusk, capture jumping actions and alert expressions, choose shrub or rocky backgrounds for a more natural setting
Threats
Habitat destruction and human disturbance, occasionally hunted
Similar species
African hare (Lepus capensis), differs by larger size, more distinct black ear tips, and more mottled fur
