Mammals nocturnal

Natal Red Rockhare

Pronolagus crassicaudatus

A specialist of the Southern African highlands, the Natal Red Rockhare is a reclusive beauty with a vibrant rufous coat. Watch for this agile jumper as it emerges from the shadows of rocky cliffs under the cover of night.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 42-50 cm (16.5-19.7 in); Weight: 1.8-3.0 kg (4.0-6.6 lbs)

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Colors

Grizzled grayish-brown head and face; vibrant reddish-brown (rufous) upperparts and rump; pale underparts; tail is a bushy dark brown or reddish.

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Key Features

Thick, dense, and slightly rough fur
Short, rounded ears compared to typical field hares
Large, bushy rufous tail
Strongly built hindquarters for leaping between rocks

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 7 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A selective grazer that primarily eats tender green grasses, though it will occasionally browse on sprouting shrubs and herbs found near rocky shelters.

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Habitat Mountainous terrain, rocky slopes, boulder-strewn hillsides, and ravines within the summer-rainfall regions of Southern Africa.

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Behavior

The Natal Red Rockhare is a master of the vertical world, far more at home on a steep, boulder-strewn hillside than in an open field. Unlike the more common scrub hares that rely on speed across flat ground, these 'rock rabbits' use their powerful hind legs to navigate treacherous kranzes (cliffs) and rocky outcrops. They are incredibly shy and secretive, usually spending their daylight hours tucked away in deep rock crevices or under thick brush to avoid predators like eagles and leopards.

When evening falls, they emerge to feed on the grasses surrounding their rocky fortresses. While they are primarily solitary, you might occasionally see small groups congregating in prime feeding spots, though they rarely stray far from the safety of the rocks. If startled, they emit a piercing, high-pitched whistle as an alarm before vanishing into the shadows with a series of agile, bounding leaps.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Natal Red Rockhare on camera requires understanding their specific 'rock-hugging' lifestyle. The most effective way to find them is to locate their 'latrine' sites. These hares are creatures of habit and consistently use the same flat rocks or cleared areas as communal dung middens. If you find a cluster of small, flattened organic pellets on a prominent rock, place your camera nearby—this is a high-traffic zone they will visit nightly.

Because they live in rugged terrain, camera placement is tricky. Mount your camera low to the ground, roughly 12-18 inches high, but ensure it is angled slightly upward if you are placing it at the base of a slope. These hares move quickly and with a jerky, bounding motion, so set your camera to 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo + Video' with the fastest possible trigger speed. A high-quality infrared (no-glow) flash is essential, as standard white flashes will startle them and likely prevent them from returning to that spot for several nights.

Focus your efforts on the transition zones where rocky cover meets grassy patches. These are their primary foraging grounds. If your backyard borders a rocky ridge or hill, place the camera along the narrow 'runs' or paths that lead from the rocks down to the grass. You don't necessarily need bait, as their movements are highly patterned, but a small patch of freshly watered, succulent grass can sometimes act as a natural lure during the drier winter months.

Finally, be mindful of the wind. Since they are extremely sensitive to scent and sound, try to service your camera during the hottest part of the day when they are deep under rock cover. Use a wide-angle lens setting if your camera allows it, as this helps capture the hare even if it doesn't walk directly in front of the sensor while navigating the uneven terrain.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Natal Red Rockhare.

Smith's Red Rockhare

Smaller with a more yellowish-red tint, found in the more arid central and western parts of South Africa.

Scrub Hare

Much larger ears, longer legs, and prefers open savanna or scrubland rather than rocky cliffs.

Hewitt's Red Rockhare

Very similar in appearance but restricted to a small range in the eastern parts of the Karoo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Natal Red Rockhares are strictly nocturnal and crepuscular. They are most active from dusk until dawn, usually emerging from their rocky hiding spots shortly after sunset to begin feeding.

If you live near their natural rocky habitat, you can attract them by maintaining 'wild' corridors of native grasses. They avoid open, manicured lawns, so providing low-growing cover near rocky outcrops is key.

They are herbivores that specialize in grazing. Their diet consists almost entirely of grasses, though they may supplement this with the occasional succulent or soft shrub leaf during dry periods.

They are only found in suburban areas that directly border mountainous or rocky terrain. They are common in the rocky suburbs of KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng, provided there is enough cover.

Look at the ears and the habitat. Natal Red Rockhares have much shorter, more rounded ears and a thicker, reddish coat, whereas Scrub Hares have very long ears and live in open fields rather than rocky slopes.

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