THE CAPE HARE 



THE CAPE HARE 



(Lepus capensis) 



This is the typical Hare of the veld in South Africa, 

 and is known to the colonists as the Vlackte-haas 

 or Hare of the plains. It is called Mukla by the 

 Basutos, Umvundhla by the Amaxosa, and Nogwaji 

 by the Zulus and Swazis. The Cape Hare in- 

 habits the veld and low hill-sides of Africa from the 

 Cape to the Equator. 



It is nocturnal and solitary by habit for, except 

 at the breeding season, the sexes do not associate. 



The female annually produces several litters of 

 " leverets," as the young are termed. From two 

 to five are brought forth at a birth. Two or three 

 seems to be the usual number. The leverets are 

 born with bodies covered with fur, and their eyes 

 open. The mother suckles them for about a 

 month, and they then wander off and lead an 

 existence independent of her. This is a wise 

 provision of Nature, for the Hare does not con- 

 struct burrows. The young are born out on the 

 veld, and their only shelter is the grass and low 

 shrubs. 



From the day of their birth the young hares are 

 adepts at concealing themselves from their enemies. 

 On the slightest cause for alarm they dart for cover, 

 and squat upon the ground with body bunched up 

 and ears lying flat against the neck. So closely 



189 



