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Springbok
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Scientific name:
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Antidorcas marsupialis
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Average shoulder height:
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Males: 75 cm
Females: 60 cm
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Body lengths:
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Length: 1.5 m
Tail: 25 cm
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Weight:
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Males: 41 kg
Females: 37 kg
Females: 37 kg
Namibia:
Males: 42-59 kg
Females: 32 kg
Kalahari:
Males: 46 kg
Females: 35 kg
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Gestation period:
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24 weeks
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Appearance
Distinctive among southern African antelope. Bright cinnamon brown upper parts, bright white under parts, with a chocolate brown stripe along the flanks. White on the face and muzzle, with a red-brown stripe running through the eyes to the corner of the mouth. The rump is white, the tail is thin, white near the base with tuft of dark hair at the tip. From the rump to about half way up to the back there is a rest of long white hair, usually folded out of sight into a narrow pouch along the middle of the back, flared open during the pronking display (see Behavior). The areas are long, narrow and pointed. Both sexes have lyre-shaped horns, ridged in the lower two-thirds, smooth where he tips curve inwards and back. Females usually have one pair, occasionally two pairs, of mammae between their hind legs.
Behavior
Active at any time of the day and night; at night in the Kalahari in summer moves onto dry river beds and pans where the hard surface gives better footing for escape from predators. Grazes with the white rump towards the sun to reflect heat; the white under parts reflect heat from the ground. In summer avoids midday heat by standing, in shade if any is available; in cold weather in winter lies in the sun, and spends the night in the dunes where it is warmer.
Lives in mixed herds of about 10-50, and up to 200. May form aggregations of up a few thousand. Within historical times springbok migrated in tens or hundreds of thousands, probably in response to drought in the Kalahari and Karoo. During the mating season territorial rams change other males out of the herds, which then consist only of females and juveniles. Adult males without territories from herds of up to 50.
Springboks’ most distinctive and striking behavior is pronking, which includes stiff-legged jumps up to 2 m high with the head high or tucked down, bouncy running enormous leaps up to 3 m high, and a variety of exaggerated gaits. The crest white hair on the back may be flared open, producing a visual signal and releasing scent from glands at the roots of the hair. Pronking seems to signal mild uneasiness, for instance about the possible presence of a predator or general excitement such as when a herd comes to water or before a thunderstorm.
Top speed is 88km/h.
Reproduction
Only territorial males breed. Single young are born at any time of year with peaks varying with locality, apparently in relation to the timing of rainfall. Peaks of births in September-October in Gauteng, Northern Cape, central Karoo, Northwest Province, Western Cape and Eastern Cape (early summer rain); in December-January in northern Namibia and throughout the Kalahari (midsummer rain); in July in Namaqualand (winter rain). Begins grazing at two weeks, weans at two months. Females first mate as early as 7 months; males are sexually mature at 16 months, but do not secure territory and mate until at least 2,5 years old. Lifespan 10 years. In Southern Kalahari it makes up 87% of cheetah kills, 13% of lion, 65% of leopard and 6% of spotted hyena kills. In Etosha NP it is main prey of spotted hyenas, and 97% of cheetah kills. Jackals and martial eagles take lamps; caracals may take adults. Adult males suffer twice as much predation as females.
Diet
A versatile feeder, changing diet according to availability, and selection for nutrients. Typically grazes in summer and browses more in winter and during droughts. Eats grasses, forbs, bushes, seeds, pods fruits and flowers, and digs for roots and bulbs. Will eat plants that are unpalatable and toxic to other species. Wild melons and cucumbers are eaten for their water content, and soil for minerals.
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Bank account name:
LIONSROCK PARK
Bank and Code:
First National Bank - South Africa FNB-230133
Account No: 62165825583
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