NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



discovered on the slopes of Mount Popocatepetl in 

 Mexico. It differs chiefly from the typical Hares 

 and Rabbits in having no visible tail, short ears and 

 comparatively short hind limbs. 



There are also two species of mountain-dwelling 

 hares in South Africa which have been placed under 

 another genus, viz. Pronolagus, which now makes 

 three genera of hares. 



The great majority of the species of Hares and 

 Rabbits inhabit the open grass and herbage-covered 

 parts of the country, and the rocky hills. These 

 animals, without exception, are extremely timid in 

 disposition. 



The Rabbit differs in many ways from the true 

 hare. It is, in most instances, of smaller size, the 

 ears, hind-legs and feet are shorter, and the colour 

 of the fur is greyer than that of the Hares. 



The Hares produce their young fully clothed 

 with fur, and with their eyes open ; whereas the 

 young of the true Rabbit are born naked, blind and 

 helpless. 



The flesh of the Hare is red, and that of the 

 Rabbit is white. There are no true rabbits in 

 South Africa, although one species is rabbit-like in 

 form. 



Hares and Rabbits are adult at the age of about 

 six months, and are capable of reproducing their 

 kind at that age. They are all highly prolific, 

 and when their natural enemies are reduced below 

 normal, they soon become a plague to man. 

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