Characteristics:
Springbok
stand 75 - 80 cm / 29 - 32 inch at the shoulder and have a mass of 32 - 36
kg / 70 - 80 lb.. They are medium-sized, graceful animals with a
bright cinnamon-brown coat and a distinct marking. They have a peculiar fold
of skin on their back. The horns are heavily ridged, lyrate, sloping
slightly backwards, to diverge outwards and curve sharply inwards in a hook
at their tips.
Colouring:
Bright reddish to yellowish-brown, broad dark,
chocolate-brown horizontal band, which extends from the upper parts of the
forelegs to the hip, separating the upper parts from the pure white under
parts. The face is white with a dark brown line from in front of the eyes to
the angle of mouth. Their inner thighs are pure white.
Occurrence:
Distributed all over Namibia, except in the north-east.
Habitat:
Open savannah, wide open plains.
Main food:
Shrubs. No depend on water.
Rutting period:
Mai – June.
Calving period:
November-February.
Horns:
Both
sexes carry similar horns, those of does being smaller, lighter an less
curved than those of bucks. Length of horns up to 40 cm / 16 inch (buck).
Habits:
When Springbok are agitated, (disturbance or play-fighting), their dorsal
fan of white hair is fully erected as the the individual leaps off the
ground. Springbok are gregarious, occurring in large herds. Bachelor herds
are common. Solitary bucks are often confined to one area and should
therefore not to be hunted. When disturbed, Springbok arch their back and
break into a stiff leaping trot which may carry them 3 meters / 10 feet off
the ground and 5 meters / 17 feet forward. When danger is sensed
Springbok warn one another through a whistle.