Huning Portal Namibia: Springbok

Springbok

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.

Hunting Portal Namibia

Springbok

Hunting Portal
Namibia