Scrub hare

The scrub hare, a unique species found in southern Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho, is currently experiencing a population decline. Native to southern Africa, this hare is easily identifiable by its grizzled-gray fur on the back and white fur on the belly. Depending on their habitat, these hares can vary in size and weight.

Scrub hares typically inhabit scrublands, tall grasslands, and savanna woodlands at elevations ranging from 1,220 to 1,830 meters. They have also adapted to areas developed for agriculture. These hares play important roles in their ecosystem by aerating the soil, serving as prey for various predators, and hosting parasites such as fleas.

Living a solitary and nocturnal life, scrub hares forage for food at night and remain still during the day to blend into their surroundings. Their diet primarily consists of green grasses, leaves, and stems, but they will also consume bark during droughts.

Scrub hares are polygynous, with males mating with multiple females. Females give birth to 1-3 young, called leverets, and can have up to four litters annually.

Unfortunately, scrub hares face several threats, including habitat fragmentation, hunting for their meat and fur, and predation by animals like side-striped jackals and cheetahs. Conservation efforts are increasingly important, as it is predicted that their population could decline by 20% by 2104.