Springhare
Springhare spoor is identified like this: very large hind feet leave long tracks, while the small front feet are only used when moving slowly. Despite their name and rabbit-like appearance, springhares are actually rodents and are more closely related to scaly-tailed squirrels than hares.
Spoor Signature
Springhare
"Very large hind feet leave long tracks, while the small front feet are only used when moving slowly. Bipedal hopping motion."
Spoor Profile
| Species | Springhare |
|---|---|
| Group | Rodents |
| Track signature | Very large hind feet leave long tracks, while the small front feet are only used when moving slowly. Bipedal hopping motion. |
| Activity pattern | Rodent spoor is best found in fine dust and aeolian sand early in the morning, before breeze and bird activity sweep the surface clean. |
Field Wisdom: Springhare
Knowing the animal makes reading its spoor far easier. These field notes explain the behaviour behind the tracks you find.
- 1
Despite their name and rabbit-like appearance, springhares are actually rodents and are more closely related to scaly-tailed squirrels than hares.
- 2
They are powerful jumpers capable of clearing up to two meters in a single bound, using their muscular hind legs to escape predators like owls and jackals.
- 3
Springhares are nocturnal and possess a reflective layer behind their retinas, causing their eyes to glow bright orange-red when caught in a spotlight during night drives.
- 4
They are expert burrowers that create complex tunnel systems with multiple emergency exits, helping them survive in the harsh, arid environments of the park.
- 5
When tracking springhare spoor in Kruger's sandy soils, field guides look for a distinct asymmetric pattern where the massive hind feet register ahead of the tiny front paws, accompanied by a sweeping tail mark. During the dry winter months, springhares concentrate their foraging in the sodic, nutrient-rich soils adjacent to seasonal rivers where tender short grasses are still available. Although generally solitary foragers, they live in loose colonial burrows where dozens of individuals share a sprawling underground warren without forming complex social bonds. Unlike many arid-adapted rodents, springhares obtain sufficient moisture from their herbivorous diet of roots, tubers, and grasses, rarely needing to drink standing water. Beyond classic night drive spotlights, visitors hoping for a sighting should scan open, overgrazed grasslands near termite mounds shortly after dusk when these rodents emerge to feed. In addition to jackals and owls, springhares form a primary dietary component for Kruger's secretive African wildcats and large eagle-owls.
- 6
When tracking springhare spoor in Kruger's sandy soils, field guides look for a distinct asymmetric pattern where the massive hind feet register ahead of the tiny front paws, accompanied by a sweeping tail mark. During the dry winter months, springhares concentrate their foraging in the sodic, nutrient-rich soils adjacent to seasonal rivers where tender short grasses are still available. Although generally solitary foragers, they live in loose colonial burrows where dozens of individuals share a sprawling underground warren without forming complex social bonds. Unlike many arid-adapted rodents, springhares obtain sufficient moisture from their herbivorous diet of roots, tubers, and grasses, rarely needing to drink standing water. Beyond classic night drive spotlights, visitors hoping for a sighting should scan open, overgrazed grasslands near termite mounds shortly after dusk when these rodents emerge to feed. In addition to jackals and owls, springhares form a primary dietary component for Kruger's secretive African wildcats and large eagle-owls.
Identification Protocol
- 1
Analyze the substrate. Soft river sand near Skukuza will provide deep, clear imprints, while hard northern mopaneveld soil requires looking for shallow "ticks" or claw marks.
- 2
Look for the stride length. A walking Springhare will leave a regular, repeating pattern. Changes in gait often signal proximity to water or recent predator interaction.
Compare Similar Spoor
Spoor that trackers routinely compare against Springhare prints in the field: