Pedetidae

The Pedetidae family consists of a single living species, the spring hare (Pedetes capensis), which is a bipedal grazing rodent native to Africa. These rodents are roughly the size of a rabbit but share characteristics with jerboas, such as a short head, large eyes, and long ears and hind legs adapted for jumping. They move in short hops, using their tails for balance, and can leap 2 to 3 meters when alarmed, seeking refuge in burrows.1

Spring hares inhabit open, arid environments across southern and eastern Africa. Their diet primarily consists of grasses, including roots, though they may also consume locusts and crops. Litters typically contain one young, born year-round or seasonally depending on the region. While not closely related to hares or rabbits, within the order Rodentia, spring hares are classified in the suborder Anomaluromorpha, with their closest relatives being extinct species.1