A secretive, rock-loving rabbit dressed in autumn colors. It lives in rocky hills and cliffs in southern Africa, especially in parts of Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and a bit of Mozambique, where there are plenty of boulders, ledges, and cracks to hide in. Its fur is a rich mix of rufous and brown on the back, with a lighter belly and striking pale grey cheeks and lower jaw, so its face looks softly highlighted against its warm-colored coat. It also has a big, reddish-brown tail tipped in black and long, thin ears that can be lightly edged with black as well. This gives it a very “polished” look, as if it’s wearing a matching set of accessories.

By day, Jameson’s red rock hare is almost a ghost. It tucks itself away in rock crevices, shaded ledges, or patches of thick bushes wedged between stones, blending in perfectly with the dusty reds and browns of its surroundings. Sometimes, in the early morning, it will slip out just long enough to sit in a patch of sunlight and warm up, then vanish again if anything moves nearby. Once night falls, it comes to life. This hare feeds only after dark, hopping quietly among stones and tufts of grass to nibble on grasses, leaves, and especially soft new shoots. It’s particularly fond of tender green growth that springs up after a fire has passed through an area, turning a burned hillside into a fresh buffet.

Most of the time, Jameson’s red rock hare is a loner, but it’s not antisocial. It’s usually solitary when resting, yet can be spotted in small groups at night while grazing, such as a female with her youngsters and one or two males following behind. They share their rocky world with some serious hunters: eagle-owls, Verreaux’s eagles, and leopards are all known to prey on red rock hares, so staying still and hidden until the last moment is a very important survival trick.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Angola

2018

Botswana

2018

Mozambique

2018

Namibia

2018

South Africa

2018

Zimbabwe

2018