Scrub hare

Scrub Hare
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Lagomorpha
Family:	Leporidae
Genus:	Lepus
Subgenus:	Proeulagus
Species:	L. saxatilis
Binomial name
Lepus saxatilis F. Cuvier, 1823
Scrub Hare range

The scrub hare, (Lepus saxatilis), is a species of hare found in South Africa, parts of central Africa, and Namibia. It is found at about 1 - 2 km above sea level. Its dorsal fur is gray and black, while its ventral fur is white. It has a black and white tail, while it has lighter fur around its face. Its length varies from 45 cm to 65 cm, while it weighs 1.5 - 4.5 kg. Females are typically larger than males. The average mass at birth is 115 grams. Parental care is low and for a very short time. Hares in captivity have been known to survive for six to seven years, while those in the wild usually do not make it past their first year. It attempts to escape predators by remaining motionless until the last moment, then attempts to run in a zigzag pattern. It is often infested with lice and fleas. hi

References

• Kushnereit, A. 2004. "Lepus saxatilis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 13, 2013