East African springhare

The East African springhare (Pedetes surdaster) is an African mammal found in Kenya and Tanzania that is closely related to the South African springhare. It is a member of the Pedetidae, a rodent family, and resembles a small kangaroo.

East African springhare
In Mbwea Safari Camp, Nakuru, Kenya
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Pedetidae
Genus:	Pedetes
Species:	P. surdaster
Binomial name
Pedetes surdaster (Thomas, 1902)
Synonyms
P.currax - Hollister, 1918 P. dentatus - Miller, 1927 P. larvalis - Hollister, 1918 P. taborae - G. M. Allen and Loveridge, 1927[2]

Taxonomy

Pedetes surdaster was recognised by Matthee and Robinson in 1997 as a species distinct from the southern African springhare (P. capensis) based on genetic, morphological, and ethological differences.^[3] P. capensis from South Africa has fewer chromosomes (2n= 38) than does P. surdaster which has (2n = 40) and some other genetic variations.^[4] The species was confirmed by Dieterlen in 2005.^[1]

Cervical vertebrae of East-african springhare (Pedetes surdaster), congenital cervical fusion.

Unlike South African springhare (Pedetes capensis), the second and third cervical vertebrae are fused in this species.

Distribution

This species is found in central and southern Kenya and most of Tanzania. A single specimen has been recorded in Uganda near the Kenya border, at Mount Moroto. It is found from sea level up to an altitude over 2,000 m.^[1]

Description

An East African springhare in Amboseli National Park, Kenya

The East African springhare resembles a small kangaroo (a marsupial in the family Macropodidae of Oceania), and is about the size of a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). It is mid-brown, has large erect ears, very short forelegs, and long powerful hind legs.^[5] It moves in bounds of up to 12 feet and has a long tail fringed with black hairs which provides balance.^[6]

Ecology

The East African springhare is nocturnal and spends the day in an extensive system of burrows. It lives in semiarid grassland habitats.^[1] The diet is the green parts of plants, roots and other vegetable matter, and occasionally insects.^[5]