19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - SCRUB HARE (Lepus saxatilis)

The Cape scrub hare (Lepus saxatilis) (Afrikaans: ribbokhaas) is a species of hare found in South Africa and Namibia. Although it is listed as a least concern species, the population has been declining and is expected to decline by 20% over the next 100 years, according to a 2004 report.

Similar to the African savanna hare, the Cape scrub hare is a grizzled gray coarse-furred hare. Its undersides are gray, and the inside of the limbs, the chin, and chest are white. Fur becomes sparse along the ears, which are black at the tips. Its tail is black on top and white below, and measures 13 to 15 centimetres (5.1 to 5.9 in) in length. An off-white ring encircles the Cape scrub hare's eyes. Cape scrub hares are typically larger than African savanna hares, and adults weigh from 3.2 to 4 kilograms (7.1 to 8.8 lb), with females being generally heavier than males.

The Cape scrub hare is endemic to southern Africa, and lives in southwestern Namibia and the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. Its presence in Namibia and absence in southeastern parts of Africa is based on taxonomic restrictions imposed on the species in 2018.

Cape scrub hares are solitary and herbivorous. They are sometimes found in pairs'

The Cape scrub hare is a herbivore and eats mostly green grasses, consuming their leaves, stems, and rhizomes. Green grass is preferred over dry grass.

Some ixodid ticks are known to affect Cape scrub hares.

As of 2019, the scrub hare is listed as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It has a fairly restricted distribution. A 2004 study estimated that within the next 100 years, their population is estimated to decrease by 20%, but this rate of decline is not enough to consider the species as threatened.

8-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - SCRUB HARE (Lepus saxatilis)

Scrub hares (Lepus saxatilis) are solitary, nocturnal African lagomorphs known for their zigzag escape runs, blending grey-brown fur, and white-tipped tails, living above ground in shallow scrapes ("forms") under bushes, feeding on grasses and shrubs, and having short gestation (around 42 days) with 1-3 young per litter, facing threats but classified as Least Concern. 

Key Facts

Appearance: Grizzled grey-brown fur, white belly, long ears with black tips, and a distinctive black-and-white tail that flashes when running.

Habitat: Found across Southern Africa in grasslands, woodlands, and scrub, preferring areas with cover and open spaces.

Behavior: Primarily nocturnal, they hide in shallow depressions (forms) during the day. They are solitary but may gather to mate.

Defense: Masters of evasion, they use their powerful hind legs and zigzagging sprints to escape predators like jackals, owls, leopards, and caracals.

Diet: Herbivores, eating grasses, leaves, and shrubs, sometimes re-ingesting feces (coprophagy) for nutrition.

Reproduction: Short gestation (approx. 42 days), 1-3 young (leverets) per litter, with several litters possible per year, peaking in rainy seasons. Leverets are independent quickly.

Life Span: Short in the wild (often under a year due to predation), but can reach 5-7 years.

Why they run in zigzags at cars: Headlights can startle them, making them see their own shadow as a predator, causing panicked zigzags as they flee into the dark.