Hewitt's Red Rock Hare
Pronolagus saundersiae
- Class
- Mammal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 240
- Most observed in
- 🇿🇦 South Africa
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
Hewitt's red rock hare (Pronolagus saundersiae) is a species of rabbit in the family Leporidae found in South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho. It is a medium-sized, densely furred rufous and brown rabbit that behaves similarly to other red rock hares, with a preference for higher elevated rocky habitats. Previously classified as a subspecies of Smith's red rock hare (Pronolagus rupestris), it is now regarded as its own species. Like other red rock hares, P. saundersiae is nocturnal, and is presumed to feed on grasses, herbs, and shrubs. Its breeding patterns are also presumed to be similar to those of other red rock hares, with females producing three to four litters of altricial young each warm season. The species is predated upon by Verreaux's eagle, Cape eagle-owls, and leopards. It is considered a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is said to be "abundant" throughout its range, despite not being protected by any specific conservation measures. As a result of habitat loss caused by humans, the global population is expected to decrease.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Hewitt's red rock hare”.