Benny and I subscribe to some interesting listservs... One of the few that is fit to discuss here is a zookeeper and exotic pet group that shares information on raising and feeding exotics as well animal enrichment. We have learned so much about enriching the lives of captive porcupines, pangolins and fruit bats that we could open up a Chucky Cheese targeted to these guys.
Recently, one of the group's members brought our attention to a critter we were not familiar with: the springhaas (also called a springhare). This adorable rodent from Southeast Africa is built much like a kangaroo and hops about on oversized back legs. It is fairly distinct from most rodents in its design as well as its slow birth rate. Mama springhaas give birth to a single mini-springhaas about three times a year. Also unlike most other rodents, the babies are born with fur and the mother cares for them in the burrow for longer than usual, until they are about half-grown.
Springhaas are known for their constant scheming...
Perhaps the strangest thing about springhaas are the unusual rules required for proper care:
1. Keep him out of the light.
2. Don 't get him wet.
3. And the most important rule,
the rule you can never forget...
...no matter how much he cries
or how much he begs, never, never feed him
after midnight.
See the transformation of a baby springhaas from adorable newborn to ungainly adult below the fold...
2 hours old
One week old
Three weeks old
Five months old (check out those fingernails...)
This is why we advise against purchasing exotic pets, particularly in Chinatown.
For more information and more springhaas pics visit Rainyeeyore
Life Science
Comments
I've seen those guys at the zoo. They're a lot bigger than one might think.
I watched Gremlins again recently and realized that Gizmo is actually more horrifying than the Gremlin. I don't know what I was thinking as a kid.
Posted by: Laughing Stone | November 30, 2007 1:57 PM
What happens if you rebel and DO feed them after midnight? Do you just end up with a spoiled pet that learns you'll cater to its needs at all hours, or is there some biological reason it's not advisable?
Posted by: Anne-Marie | November 30, 2007 4:46 PM
LOL - I'm loving the Gremlins connection. I've always also believed that these guys were the true inspirationg for Pikachu.
One of the sites I was looking at said that when the mom gives birth to an infant of over one pound. That is like a human giving birth to a 15-25 lb. baby. YOWZA!
Posted by: arachnophile | November 30, 2007 7:34 PM
Geez Anne-Marie....It'll turn into a gremlin for goodness sake.
Posted by: S. Fisher | November 30, 2007 8:47 PM
Whoa, that's amazing. I've ever seen anything that looked so much like a step between marsupial and rodent before.
And what's more, it looks ilke someone raided my childhood's imaginings of the ultimate friend/pet.
Now if it could sing catchy songs that impart life lessons about friendship and being yourself, I'd be trying to find one right now.
Posted by: Jenbug | December 2, 2007 11:38 AM
HA!
Did we leave that part out? Springhaas can do that.
Posted by: Andrew | December 2, 2007 12:30 PM
First, why haven't I been reading your blog all along? I like it!
And - I saw one of these animals briefly in a documentary recently, but thought it was mouse size - what neat critters.
Posted by: Bee | December 3, 2007 11:38 AM
Bee, we have been asking ourselves the same question for over a year! Where've you been!?
Am I the only one who's a little afraid of the springhaas?
Posted by: Benny | December 3, 2007 2:08 PM
I thought that, don't feed them after midnight thing sounded familiar! LOL! I guess I will have to take them off the list of gifts to my nephews and nieces this year! LOL!
Dave Briggs :~)
Posted by: Dave Briggs | December 6, 2007 4:27 PM
Kinda like giant jerboas.... I note they have chewing habits similar to rabbits, but it sounds like they're much brighter -- and easier to train not to chew on things! (My bunny died seven years ago in another state, and I still have possessions bearing the Mark Of The Beast....)
Posted by: David Harmon | February 15, 2008 11:12 PM