Cape Hare

Identification

The Cape hare is a typical hare with well-developed legs built for leaping and running, paired with large eyes and ears that constantly scan for threats. A distinctive white ring usually surrounds each eye. The coat is fine and soft, varying in colour from light brown to reddish to sandy grey depending on subspecies and habitat. An unusual feature among mammals is that females are noticeably larger than males—a clear example of sexual dimorphism.

Range & Habitat

Native to Africa and Arabia, extending into India, the Cape hare inhabits a remarkable diversity of environments. It favours macchia-type vegetation, grasslands, and bushveld, but is equally at home in the Sahara Desert and semi-desert areas. The species is also common in parts of the Ethiopian Highlands, such as Degua Tembien, where it has adapted to high-altitude conditions.

Behaviour & Diet

The Cape hare is strictly nocturnal, emerging under cover of darkness to feed on grasses and various shrubs. Like other hares and rabbits, it practises coprophagy—consuming its own fecal pellets to maximise nutrient extraction and allow microbes to contribute additional nutrition. Females are remarkably prolific, giving birth to one to three precocial young (called leverets) after a 42-day pregnancy, with up to four litters possible annually. The young are born with open eyes and can move shortly after birth, unlike rabbit kits. In captivity, one individual lived nearly 9 years, though wild longevity remains undocumented.

Best Time & Places to See It

To observe Cape hares, plan nocturnal outings in suitable habitats such as semi-arid grasslands, desert margins, and scrubland regions across Africa, Arabia, and India. The Ethiopian Highlands offer particular promise. Since they are nocturnal, night drives or spotlight surveys in protected areas during their active hours offer the best chance of encounters.

Photography Tips

Photographing Cape hares requires patience and night-vision capability. Use a vehicle-mounted spotlight or headlamp to locate animals without approaching too closely; their large eyes will reflect light distinctively. The white eye-ring and soft coat texture reward close-up photography, but maintain distance to avoid disturbing natural behaviour. Fast film or high ISO settings are essential for capturing these elusive nocturnal animals in low light.