Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Springbok once traveled by the hundreds and even millions. Springbok were hunted by the Dutch farmers whose crops were ruined by "treks" of springbok travelling in search of food and water. Springbok are now being introduced in game reserves and private farms in an effort to preserve the species.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Previously, when the springbok traveled in large numbers, they caused extensive crop damage to the Dutch farms.
The springbok is the Republic of South Africa's sporting emblem. It is respected and honored in that country, which has lead to a moderate increase in protection. Only with special permission or a special license can hunters pursue the springbok. Springbok are popular attractions for tourists at game reserves and private farms. Previously, when hunting without a license for springbok was legal, the meat of springboks provided an abundant supply of protein to a growing population in southern Africa.
Positive Impacts: food
The springbok is an intermediate browser, using both grass and browse. The shift from one food source to the other takes place seasonally. It is largely due to the need for water in the hot, dry season when the natural water supplies are not constant, during which time flowers are eaten. These flowers have double the mean water content of the grass that is consumed in times of water availability (during the hot, wet season). Utilizing food resources in this way allows springboks to remain independent of a constant water supply, whether it be from man-made watering holes, natural water holes, or other water supplies. This is a great advantage in a climate where droughts are common.
Springbok range includes south and southwestern Africa, mainly in the countries of Namibia, Botswana, Angola and the Republic of South Africa.
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Springboks are mostly confined to game reserves and farms in treeless savanna associated with the edges of dry lake beds.
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 19.0 years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 20.0 years.
The springbok is a strikingly marked, gazellelike antelope. It has a white face with dark stripes from the mouth to the eyes, a reddish-brown coat that turns to a darker shade and then to white on the lower third of its body, and a white backside. It stands approximately 80cm high at the shoulders and is characterized by a fold of skin that runs from the midback to the rump. This fold can be opened in times of excitement to display a crest of white hair. Both sexes also have black, curved, lyre-shaped horns. Larger males can have horns 36-48cm in length.
Range mass: 33 to 46 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
The springbok generally mates during the dry season and lactates during the hot, wet season when resources are most abundant. Birth takes place in Oct-Nov, the start of the wet season. Gestation is approximately 4-6 months and females generally reproduce every 2 years, starting between the ages of 1 and 2. Weaning usually occurs from 6 months to 1 year. The parental contribution is mainly by the mother, as springboks tend to live in herds of females and their offspring along with very few dominant males. Life expectancy of an average springbok is 7-9 years.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Average number of offspring: 1.01.
Range gestation period: 5.57 to 5.7 months.
Range weaning age: 4 to 4.07 months.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average birth mass: 4160 g.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 400 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 213 days.
Parental Investment: altricial
