Springhare

Scientific name: Pedetes capensis
Size: 65-85cm long including tail
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Natural range: throughout South Africa

Housing

• can be kept as a free range house pet
• also can be kept permanently or semi-permanently in a large outdoor enclosure with an enclosed top
• outdoor enclosure should be at least 5 meters long by 3 meters wide
• they can live in same sex pairs if introduced at a young age
• Accessories (indoors): large enclosed cat litter, large dog crate or hideaway for sleeping, wood chews
• Accessories (outdoors): large shelter bedded with stable shavings, various toys and hideaways, sandbox

Food

• staple diet should be a mix of rabbit pellets and rodent blocks with some barley, whole oats and wheat
• offer a piece of fresh sweet potato, yam, carrot or other fresh veggie daily
• allow free access to timothy hay
• do not offer a standing water source as too much water can cause kidney damage; they get all the moisture they need from the daily fresh piece of veggie

Breeding

• Maturity: 8 months old
• Gestation: 78-82 days
• Litter size: 1-2
• young are born fully furred and eyes open within 3 days of birth
• should be fully weaned by 6-7 weeks old