Difference between revisions of "Springhare"
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{{Taxonomy | {{Taxonomy | ||
|name=Springhare | |name=Springhare | ||
| − | |image= | + | |image=EastAfrican springhare.jpg |
| − | |caption= | + | |caption=<small>East African springhare<br/>''Pedetes surdaster''</small> |
|domain=Eukaryota | |domain=Eukaryota | ||
|kingdom=Animalia | |kingdom=Animalia | ||
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | Springhares are comparatively large rodents, with body length (excluding the tail) around 15.7 inches, and a weight of about 6.1 pounds. The tail is as long as the body, and is used as a | + | Springhares are comparatively large rodents, with body length (excluding the tail) around 15.7 inches, and a weight of about 6.1 pounds. The tail is as long as the body, and is used as a counterbalance when jumping. They have long hind legs with long feet of about 5.9 inches in length, while the front legs are only very short. The eyes and ears are very large. |
Springhares live in dry and open steppes and semi-desert areas without or with only a small tree population. They are nocturnal and stay exclusively on the ground, feeding on grasses and seeds. During the day they stay in self-dug burrows. | Springhares live in dry and open steppes and semi-desert areas without or with only a small tree population. They are nocturnal and stay exclusively on the ground, feeding on grasses and seeds. During the day they stay in self-dug burrows. | ||
===Species=== | ===Species=== | ||
| − | *''Pedetes capensis'', South African springhare, or springhaas; southern Congo to Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa | + | *''Pedetes capensis'', South African springhare, or springhaas; southern Congo to [[Angola]], [[Zambia]], [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]], [[Mozambique]], [[Zimbabwe]], and [[South Africa]] |
| − | *''Pedetes surdaster'', East African springhare; southern Kenya and Tanzania | + | *''Pedetes surdaster'', East African springhare; southern [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzania]] |
[[Category:Mammals]][[Category:Rodents]] | [[Category:Mammals]][[Category:Rodents]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:14, October 25, 2021
| Springhare | |
|---|---|
| |
| East African springhare Pedetes surdaster | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Sub-class | Theria |
| Infra-class | Eutheria |
| Order Information | |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Sub-order | Anomaluromorpha |
| Family Information | |
| Family | Pedetidae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Pedetes |
| Population statistics | |
The springhares are two species of mammals of the family Pedetidae, and found in eastern and southern Africa. Although rodents, they are called springhares from a superficial resemblance to both kangaroos and hares.
Description
Springhares are comparatively large rodents, with body length (excluding the tail) around 15.7 inches, and a weight of about 6.1 pounds. The tail is as long as the body, and is used as a counterbalance when jumping. They have long hind legs with long feet of about 5.9 inches in length, while the front legs are only very short. The eyes and ears are very large.
Springhares live in dry and open steppes and semi-desert areas without or with only a small tree population. They are nocturnal and stay exclusively on the ground, feeding on grasses and seeds. During the day they stay in self-dug burrows.
Species
- Pedetes capensis, South African springhare, or springhaas; southern Congo to Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa
- Pedetes surdaster, East African springhare; southern Kenya and Tanzania