Mammals nocturnal

African Savanna Hare

Lepus microtis

The African Savanna Hare is the ultimate nocturnal acrobat of the grasslands. With its iconic oversized ears and lightning-fast reflexes, it turns your backyard into a wild savanna after the sun goes down.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 41–58 cm (16–23 in); Weight: 1.5–3 kg (3.3–6.6 lb)

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Colors

Grizzled brownish-gray upper body with black flecks; snowy white underparts and throat; ears feature distinct black tips and a white patch at the base.

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Key Features

Extraordinarily long ears with black-fringed tips
Powerful, elongated hind legs built for sprinting
Small white patch (nucha) on the back of the neck
Grizzled, salt-and-pepper coat that provides camouflage in dry grass

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 8 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A strict herbivore that grazes on a wide variety of grasses, herbs, and occasionally fallen fruits or bark during the dry season. They utilize coprophagy (re-ingesting droppings) to extract maximum nutrition from their high-fiber diet.

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Habitat Open grasslands, savanna woodlands, and scrubby forest edges; frequently found in large suburban gardens and agricultural fields.

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Behavior

The African Savanna Hare is a master of the 'sit-and-wait' survival strategy. Unlike many animals that flee at the first sign of trouble, this hare relies on its incredible camouflage, hunkering down in a 'form'—a shallow depression in the earth hidden by tall grass. They remain motionless until a predator is nearly stepping on them, at which point they explode into a high-speed, zig-zagging sprint that can outpace most pursuers.

These mammals are primarily solitary and nocturnal, though they may occasionally be seen in pairs during the breeding season or gathered in small numbers where the grazing is particularly lush. While they are generally shy and avoid human interaction, they have adapted well to human-modified landscapes, often using the manicured lawns of suburban edges as easy feeding grounds during the cover of night.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of the African Savanna Hare, you must think low. These animals stay close to the ground, so mount your camera no higher than 20–30 centimeters (8–12 inches) off the floor. Aim the lens parallel to the ground along 'hare paths'—thin, worn trails through tall grass or gaps under garden fences. If you can find an area where a mown lawn meets tall, wild grass, that 'edge' is the perfect spot for a camera, as they love to feed on the tender lawn shoots while staying close to cover.

Because they are most active in total darkness, your camera’s infrared (IR) performance is critical. Use a camera with a fast trigger speed (0.3 seconds or less); these hares are incredibly twitchy and can vanish from the frame in a heartbeat. Setting your camera to 'Burst Mode' (3-5 photos per trigger) or short 10-15 second video clips is highly recommended. Video is especially fascinating, as it captures their cautious grooming habits and the constant, rhythmic twitching of their noses and ears.

While traditional food bait isn't usually necessary, a small pile of fresh alfalfa or a shallow, ground-level water basin can be a powerful lure, especially during the dry season. Hares are sensitive to human scent, so try to set your camera and leave the area undisturbed for at least 48 hours. Using 'No-Glow' or 'Black Flash' IR LEDs is a plus, as it prevents the hare from being startled by a visible red glow, allowing for more natural, relaxed behavior on film.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with African Savanna Hare.

Scrub Hare

Larger in size with longer legs and typically features a small white patch on the forehead.

Cape Hare

Prefer more arid, desert-like environments and have significantly longer ears proportional to their body.

Frequently Asked Questions

African Savanna Hares are strictly nocturnal and crepuscular. They usually emerge from their hiding spots at dusk and remain active throughout the night, with peak activity occurring between 10 PM and 2 AM.

The best way to attract them is to provide a 'wild' corner in your garden with tall, uncut grass for cover. They are also drawn to tender, short-mown grass for feeding and may visit ground-level water sources during dry spells.

They are grazers that primarily eat green grasses and herbs. In suburban environments, they may also nibble on garden vegetables, fallen fruit, or succulent plants.

Yes, they are highly adaptable. As long as there is sufficient cover (like thickets or tall grass) and a lack of aggressive domestic dogs, they frequently thrive in suburban gardens and parks.

The African Savanna Hare is generally smaller and lacks the white patch on the forehead often seen in Scrub Hares. Additionally, the Savanna Hare has a more distinct white patch on the back of its neck (the nucha).

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