The springhare is a rodent, not a hare, and is the only species in its own family. It has a short, round head with large eyes and long, narrow, upright ears. It is a grazer, feeding almost entirely on grass, though it does eat roots and the leaves of low bushes. It does not drink water, getting its moisture from rain, dew and free water in food eaten. Its enemies include snakes and owls as well as weasels, mongooses and jackals; man is also a major predator.

In Zimbabwe and Botswana springhares are a source of protein and the Koi-San are so fond of them that they eat almost every part of the anatomy. The springhare is nocturnal, and so is often caught on the road in the glare of a car's headlights. It excavates a burrow as its shelter: burrows often have more than one exit, and may be linked to neighbouring burrows. The female gives birth to her single young inside the burrow, where it remains for the first seven weeks of its life, before being weaned onto grass.