Bontebok
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Description
The bontebok is a small to medium sized antelope with a short, glossy chocolate brown coat and distinctive white markings on the face and rump. Both the males and females have short lyre or U-shaped horns with the males typically being longer and heavier. There are two physically distinct and well-recognized subspecies: bontebok (D. p. pygargus) are found in the highveld and coastal plains of South Africa, blesbok (D. p. phillipsi) are found in eastern and central South Africa.
Classification
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Cetartiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Damaliscus
- Species
- D. pygargus
- Conservation Status
- Least Concern
Key Facts
- Height
- 2.8-3.3 ft (~85-100 cm)
- Weight
- 120-175 lb (~55-80 kg)
The IUCN Red List describes Damaliscus pygargus pygargus as a species of Least Concern. Despite the dramatic drop in their populations in the mid-19th century, conservation efforts have led to stable populations of these antelope throughout protected lands in South Africa.
Social Life
Like many antelope, the bontebok is a social species with older males maintaining small harems of females and offspring. Adult males will defend their harems and territories year round marking the boundaries with dung piles, scrapes on the ground, and oil secretions from pre-orbital glands. Most of a herds activity is spent foraging during the day but will be spent resting during the hottest periods.
Habitat and Range
Primarily confined to protected lands in southern Africa, bontebok are found throughout coastal woodlands or Highveld habitats. The primary populations of these antelope are found protected at Bontebok National Park, South Africa where numbers reach into the thousands.
Diet
An herbivore specific to grazing, bontebok will be found feeding on the short grasses abundant throughout their habitat.
Lifespan
Typically between 17-23 years in captivity.
Predators
Primary predators include lions, cheetah, leopards, hyenas, and painted dogs.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity: Male: 2-2.5 years, Female: 2-2.5 years
Mating Season January to February
Birth Season August to December
Gestation 8 months
No. of Young 1
- Information
-
Description
The bontebok is a small to medium sized antelope with a short, glossy chocolate brown coat and distinctive white markings on the face and rump. Both the males and females have short lyre or U-shaped horns with the males typically being longer and heavier. There are two physically distinct and well-recognized subspecies: bontebok (D. p. pygargus) are found in the highveld and coastal plains of South Africa, blesbok (D. p. phillipsi) are found in eastern and central South Africa.
Classification
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Cetartiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Damaliscus
- Species
- D. pygargus
- Conservation Status
- Least Concern
Key Facts
- Height
- 2.8-3.3 ft (~85-100 cm)
- Weight
- 120-175 lb (~55-80 kg)
- Conservation
The IUCN Red List describes Damaliscus pygargus pygargus as a species of Least Concern. Despite the dramatic drop in their populations in the mid-19th century, conservation efforts have led to stable populations of these antelope throughout protected lands in South Africa.
- Lifestyle
Social Life
Like many antelope, the bontebok is a social species with older males maintaining small harems of females and offspring. Adult males will defend their harems and territories year round marking the boundaries with dung piles, scrapes on the ground, and oil secretions from pre-orbital glands. Most of a herds activity is spent foraging during the day but will be spent resting during the hottest periods.Habitat and Range
Primarily confined to protected lands in southern Africa, bontebok are found throughout coastal woodlands or Highveld habitats. The primary populations of these antelope are found protected at Bontebok National Park, South Africa where numbers reach into the thousands.Diet
An herbivore specific to grazing, bontebok will be found feeding on the short grasses abundant throughout their habitat.Lifespan
Typically between 17-23 years in captivity.Predators
Primary predators include lions, cheetah, leopards, hyenas, and painted dogs.Reproduction
Sexual maturity: Male: 2-2.5 years, Female: 2-2.5 years
Mating Season January to February
Birth Season August to December
Gestation 8 months
No. of Young 1