u6 



RODENTS. 



According to Brehm, very little is definitely known regarding the breeding 

 of this species. The Arabs state that it forms a nest from its own fur within the 

 labyrinths of its burrow, where from two to four young are produced at a birth. 



The Arabs capture these tiny creatures by stopping up all the entrances to a 

 burrow except one, where they place a net, and then digging down into the central 

 chamber, when the jerboas are either caught in the nets or by the hands of their 

 pursuers. Many are thus taken alive, while the flesh of those killed is eaten. 

 The chief foes of the jerboa, next to men, are fennecs, caracals, and owls, by all of 

 which large numbers are destroyed. 



This jerboa, like its allies of Central Asia, is easily tamed; and from its 

 beautiful form and delicate build, as well as its efigaging manners, is always highly 

 esteemed as a pet by its owners. In its wild state the jerboa eats not only leaves, 

 fruits, and seeds, but likewise insects and carrion. 



THE AFRICAN JUMPING HARE. 

 Genus Pedetes. 



By far the largest representative of the long-limbed members of the family 

 is the South African species, designated by the Cape colonists, inappropriately, 



the jumping hare the springhaas of the Boers. This 

 animal (Pedetes caffer) constitutes not only a distinct 

 genus, but also a separate subfamily ; being distinguished 

 from the jerboas by the following characters. In the neck 

 the whole of the seven vertebrae are separate ; the hind- 

 feet have four toes, and their comparatively short meta- 

 tarsal bones are not united together; while the cheek- 

 teeth, of which there are four on each side of the jaws, do 

 not develop roots. 



In size the jumping hare may be compared with the 

 common hare, to which it also approximates in general 

 coloration ; the length of the head and body being about 

 24 inches, and that of the tail rather more. The head is 

 relatively large, with long pointed ears ; the fore-limbs 

 are proportionately longer than in the jerboas; and the 

 long tail is thickly haired throughout its extent. There 

 are five toes, provided with long, sharp claws on the fore- 

 feet, while in the hind -feet the claws are wider and 

 blunter, and approximate somewhat to nails; the middle 

 hind-toe being much larger than either of the others. The 

 long and soft hair of the upper-parts is reddish brown, 

 more or less mingled with white ; while beneath the colour is pure white. 

 Distribution The range of the jumping hare extends from the Cape to 



and Habits. Angola on the west, and Mozambique on the east coast. Its habits 

 approximate very closely to those of the jerboas. Thus it inhabits more or less 

 desert districts, where it constructs complex burrows, in which several families 



SKELETON OF AFRICAN 

 JUMPING HARE. 



