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Springbok Facts

Springbok Facts
Springbok is a type of antelope that belongs to the bovid family. There are 3 subspecies of springbok that can be found in southern and southwestern parts of Africa. Springbok inhabits open plains, grasslands, scrublands, deserts and semi-arid areas. Uncontrolled hunting (because of their meat and skin) and construction of the fences (which prevent seasonal migrations) led to drastic reduction in the number of springboks in the wild. Luckily, population of springboks is still large and stable and they are not on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Springbok Facts:
Springbok can reach 59 to 77 inches in length, 28 to 35 inches in height and 66 to 105 pounds of weight.
Springbok has reddish-brown hairs on the back, white hairs on the lateral sides of the body and belly and dark brown horizontal line in the middle. It has white face and two brown lines that stretch from the eyes to the corner of the mouth.
Springbok has long, pointed ears, long neck and slender body. Lyre-shaped horns can be seen both in males and females (they are longer and thicker in males).
Springbok is active at dusk and dawn (crepuscular animal).
Springbok is herbivore (plant-eater). Its diet is based on grass, leaves, flowers, roots and tubers.
Springbok is one of the fastest animals on the planet. It can reach speed of 60 miles per hour.
Springbok has pocket-like, flap of skin on the rump which conceals white crest. Erected flap of skin and exposed white crest can be seen whenever springbok detects predators (white crest sends message to other members of the group).
Natural enemies of springboks are cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and lions.
Springbok can jump 6.5 to 9 feet from the ground. Series of consecutive leaps, known as "pronking", provides information about animal's surroundings, sends olfactory messages (from the glands near the heel) and advertises strength of animal.
Springboks form few types of herds: mixed herds (one dominant male with numerous females and their offspring), nursery herds (females and infants) and bachelor herds (young males).
Springboks can mate all year round. Most babies are born during the rainy season, when food is abundant.
Pregnancy in females lasts 5 to 6 months and ends with one baby which remains hidden in the bush or tall grass during the first few days of its life. At the age of 3 to 4 weeks, young springbok joins nursery herd with its mother.
Springbok depends on the mother's milk until the age of 6 months. Females often stay within their native herds, while males leave the herds at the age of 6 to 12 months to join bachelor herds.
Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 1 year, males at the age of 2 years.
Springbok can survive up to 10 years in the wild.


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