What Species Of Animal Is A Springbok?

Springbok

What is a Springbok?

Springbok [Antidorcas marsupialis]

The Springbok is an antelope plant in South Africa. The name comes from the Afrikaans words for "jump" and "antelope" because the Springbok oft become into bouts of repeated loftier leaps of up to two metres high in the air.

Springbok in their hundreds of thousands roamed the arid regions of southern Africa at the time the first settlers arrived, but the herds were rapidly decimated and today they are only found in protected areas and farms.

The Springbok is the national animal of South Africa. The national rugby team of South Africa are also known as the Springboks.

Advent

How much does a Springbok weigh?
Springbok rams may weigh upwards to fifty Kg, and ewes only up to 37 Kg. Their striking body colour renders them easily recognizable. Shoulders appear lower than the hindquarters. Cinnamon coloured upper body, white underparts and a broad night brown stripe on either flank stretching from the forepart legs to the rear legs.

The brusque white tail is dark-brown tufted. The rump is marked by a triangular-shaped white patch, framed by a dark brown stripe with the apex on the height of the hindquarters. Horns of ewes are more slender and shorter than those of rams.

Nutrition

What practice Springboks eat?
Springboks are selective feeders, whose nutrition comprises the best fodder available at any given time. They browse in the dry flavour and predominantly graze after the rainy season when grasses spout green. They are fond of flowers such as of Acacia, and drink water readily, but when open up water is scarce, h2o requirements are met past eating moisture-rich tubers and roots.

Convenance

Mating is normally restricted to a one or two week estrus, although this specie is capable to breed at any time of the year.

What is a baby Springbok called?
After a gestation period of 25 weeks single lambs are built-in. Springbok lambs are subconscious for the first 2 days later birth. Well-nigh ewes breed every twelvemonth, some even twice. Young are weaned at about four months and ewes become sexually mature at the age of vii months.

Behaviour

Only rams establish territories for mating opportunities. The exception is territorial rams, which prefer to live in the solitude of their territories. Herd composition is flexible.

©Nigel Dennis

Habitat

The Springbok alive in a harsh and unpredictable environs. Calcareous pans, dry out river beds and brusk grass savannah are preferred. They avoid areas of tall grass.

Where Springbok are Found

The Springbok is the near abundant antelope in the central and western parts of South Africa. Some herds are still free roaming within some of its natural range, only nigh are now confined to farmlands and reserves. They are a common feature in most of South Africa's national, provincial and individual reserves. Springbok are the most mutual antelope in neighbouring Namibia.