THE SPRINGHARE OR SPRINGHAAS 



take up their abode. It frequents the mountainous 

 country, valleys and veld, and selects those localities 

 where the rainfall is not abundant, and there are 

 many such in South Africa. 



It seldom wanders any great distance from its 

 burrow, towards which it instantly races in a series 

 of hops or long jumps on the slightest alarm. 



Although its hind limbs are tremendously devel- 

 oped, and the muscles of the thighs very large, yet 

 the Springhaas is not a swift runner, and if surprised 

 far from its burrow can easily be run down by dogs. 



When wandering about at its leisure seeking food, 

 it proceeds on all fours with short hops, after the 

 manner of a rabbit or hare ; but unlike the graceful 

 movements of the latter, it hops in a most ungainly- 

 looking way, owing to its disproportionately long 

 hind limbs. 



However, when alarmed and travelling at full 

 speed, it races along after the manner of a kangaroo, 

 with great bounds, each leap covering 8 or 9 feet. 

 When seen thus in swift motion, with the long 

 bushy tail streaming out behind, the Springhaas is 

 exceedingly graceful and is seen at its best. Owing 

 to its comparatively short fore limbs and long hind- 

 legs, it avoids running down inclines unless forced, 

 and when obliged to do so its progress is slow and 

 unsteady. 



Like most rodent animals, the Springhare is timid 

 and easily alarmed, and when feeding it nervously 

 raises itself to its full height on the back legs every 



