Pronolagus rupestris
Smith's red rockhare

The red rock hare is found in the eastern Rift Valley in Kenya, Zambia, eastern Rhodesia, South Africa and South-west Africa. Throughout their distributional range their occurrence is dependent on the availability of rocky habitat.

Red rock hares are only found in stony country where dense bush, grass and rocks are intermingled. They shelter under slabs of stone or in rock crevices.

The red rock hare measures 390-570mm in length from head to tail. The hindfoot measures 75-100mm and the ear measures 60-100mm in length. The hairs on the back of the hare are brown and are thicker than the hairs on the underside, which are white in color. The ears and face are grey in color, while the tail and limb are russet. The claws and digits are short and broad.

Red rock hares are nocturnal. They are cautious and generally hide long before they are seen. When chased by dogs, they are capable of rapid and startling maneuvers. They are also known to vocalize a series of screams when running away, perhaps to frighten predators or to warn others of danger. Although red rock hares are known to be solitary, they do associate very closely with hyrax, they may benefit from the hyrax' alertness and also can take refuge in the same holes.

Red rock hares feed on grasses, herbs, and the shoots of shrubs. They are grazers and prefer areas where grass is sprouting after fire.

None known.

None known.

Populations of red rock hare appear stable.

The flesh of these hares is very aromatic. This may be due to their diet.