Scrub Hare

Afrikaans name: Kolhaas

A Scrub Hare shows off its large ears

Photo © Steven Herbert

Lepus saxatilis

Interesting facts about Scrub Hares

The Scrub Hare has a wide distribution in South Africa. It is the most likely species of 'rabbit' that you will see.

The Scrub Hare can be found in a wide variety of habitats including grasslands, savanna and bushveld.

This animal is nocturnal and is not often encountered during the day, although it will sometimes venture out just before dusk or just after dawn. It can often be seen on roads at night with the unfortunate result that many are run over by cars.

At night it emerges to feed. Its diet is pretty much restricted to grass.

Scrub Hares are preyed on by many predators including humans, jackals, Caracal and larger birds of prey. With a weight of around 3 kg they provide a nice little snack for a hungry predator.

Females give birth to 1 to 3 young in a litter and she may have up to 4 litters in a year. This normally happens during the summer but may occur all year round.

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 26

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 49

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 198

The Smaller Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. De V. Pienaar et al - Published: 1980 - Page: 112

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 21

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 33

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 184

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 100

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 30

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 34

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 5

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 150

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 33

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 159

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 50

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 120

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 160

First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 19

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 82

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 294

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 82

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 226

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 49

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 51

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 163

South Africa Online

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List of South African Mammals