The Antelope of africa

Springbok

Antidorcas marsupialis

The only gazelle species occurring in southern Africa. Tawny upperparts with a white belly and a brown stripe bordering the white.

Distribution Found in the northern parts of western south Africa into Namibia, Botswana and southern Angola. Eradicated from much of their range in South Africa but have since been introduced onto game farms and private reserves.

Social structure Males are territorial during the rutting season and they herd females into their territories. For the rest of the year they move freely about. Herds vary in size depending on the terrain and conditions but when moving to new feeding grounds larger herds will be found. The only large herds found today are in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana.

Range differentiation The herd size varies according to the area of occurrence. In areas of permanent water they will drink but in other areas they get their fluid from fruit and the food they eat.

Habitat Open plains in desert and semi desert areas. They are found in the Namib Desert where they have adapted to live.

Feeding They are mixed feeders as they graze and browse. Will also eat fruit in the drier areas. Are known to dig for roots with their front feet.

Breeding Lambs are born during the rainy season where conditions are favourable after a 51/2 month gestation period.

A Springbok looking for food in the desert

Springbok find a lot of nutrition in desert plants.

The great herds of the past have dwindled into game reserves and game farms.

Springbok react to danger by jumping and running in different directions.

The springbok is the only gazelle species occurring in southern Africa and was once the national emblem of South Africa. Historically springbok were widespread across the region, moving in vast herds of hundreds of thousands across the land, taking days to pass a single point. With the arrival of the settlers came mass hunting and the herds diminished into little pockets of protected areas. The only gathering of any large herds today is in the Gemsbok National Park of South Africa and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana.

Both sexes have horns – those of males are larger and thicker. Black and white springbok - a genetic variation - are sometimes seen in the wild but more often found on farms where they are specifically bred.

They have a white pouch on the rump which is visible when the animal is ‘pronking’ or stotting - a very characteristic gait known that involves the animal jumping up and down on stiff legs and an arched back. The animals name is derived from this action. It was believed that this was a form of anti-predator behaviour but in careful observations it seems that this is done through sheer excitement – often seen after a summer thunderstorm.

The springbok survives in arid areas and is an intermediate feeder – browser and grazer – and can survive without water, getting its moisture from the vegetation it eats. They have adapted to survive in the harsh climate of the Namib Desert in Namibia.

Once the national emblem of South Africa the springbok is now considered the symbol of Apartheid by many people and has been thrown from all official representation except for the South African rugby team.

Despite its previous high profile the springbok is not found in South Africa’s premier game reserve Kruger National Park, in fact only occurring over a very small range of the country. This is due to its preference for arid regions.