Common name: Cape Hare (Desert Hare)
Scientific name: Lepus capensis
Family: Leporidae

Size:
Body length: 40–70 cm
Weight: 1.5–3 kg

Identification:
A medium-sized hare with a slender body, long powerful hind legs, and very long ears often tipped with black. The fur is sandy to grey-brown, providing effective camouflage in desert environments. The underparts are lighter, and the tail is short with a darker upper surface. Its large eyes are adapted for detecting movement in open landscapes.

Habitat:
Deserts, semi-deserts, gravel plains, and open dry landscapes with sparse vegetation.

Status in the UAE:
Native and locally common. Widely distributed across desert and semi-desert regions.

Diet:
Herbivorous — feeds on grasses, herbs, shoots, and desert vegetation.

Behavior:
Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular. Spends the day resting in shallow depressions on the ground. Relies on speed and agility to escape predators, capable of sudden bursts and zigzag running. Usually solitary. Plays an important ecological role as both grazer and prey for predators such as foxes and raptors.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)