Cape Hare

Appearance

The female Cape Hare is slightly larger than the male. The mass varies from 1.5 – 2.5 kg. The fur is pale brownish-grey. The long ears and black-and-white tail is most obvious in flight. Distinguished from the Scrub Hare by being smaller in stature and the absence of pure white underparts.

Diet

Depending on availability of grass or shrubs it may either graze or browse. Hares re-ingest soft faecal pellets directly from the anus during their rest periods in the day, and excrete hard pellets during nocturnal feeding.

Breeding

The Cape Hare is a non seasonal breeder, which births throughout the year, although births tend to peak during the rainy season. It gives birth to one to three leverets after a gestation period of 42 days. Young are fully furred and weigh 100 grams at birth. The eyes open, and newly born are capable of hearing and moving around, within 48 hours of birth. Leverets are suckled by females for only ten minutes each night. Lactation is continued for a period of three weeks only. No nests are provided for litters.

Behaviour

The Cape Hare is solitary in habits, but oestrus females may be followed by several males for a short period. Preferred habitat is open arid terrain. It occurs only in short, open grasslands in wetter parts of is distribution range.

Where they are found

Widespread and abundant in the more arid regions of South Africa. Also occurring in Botswana and the central and extreme northern districts of South Africa.