Steenbok
The steenbok ( Raphicerus campestris ) is a small, slender antelope found in southern and eastern Africa. It is a member of the family Bovidae, which includes cattle, sheep, goats, and other antelopes.
Description: Steenbok are typically reddish-brown to fawn in color, with a white underbelly. They have large, rounded ears and a black nose. Males possess short, straight horns, typically between 7 and 19 centimeters in length. Females are hornless. They are relatively small, standing about 45-60 cm (18-24 inches) tall at the shoulder and weighing between 9 and 16 kg (20-35 lbs).
Distribution and Habitat: Steenbok are widely distributed across southern and eastern Africa, from Kenya and Tanzania south to South Africa and Namibia. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including open grasslands, savannas, bushveld, and semi-arid areas. They prefer areas with short grass and scattered shrubs, providing both grazing opportunities and cover from predators.
Behavior and Ecology: Steenbok are primarily solitary animals, although they may form loose pairs or small family groups. They are generally active during the day, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. They are territorial and mark their territories using dung heaps and secretions from their preorbital glands (located below their eyes). They are primarily grazers, feeding on grasses, forbs, and leaves. Steenbok are known for their speed and agility, which helps them evade predators. When threatened, they will often crouch low to the ground and remain motionless, relying on their camouflage to blend in with their surroundings. If detected, they will flee with a series of bounding leaps.
Reproduction: Steenbok can breed year-round, although breeding activity may peak during the rainy season. After a gestation period of approximately six months, females typically give birth to a single calf. The calf is hidden in dense vegetation for the first few weeks of its life, and the mother will return regularly to nurse it.
Conservation Status: The steenbok is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are relatively common and widespread throughout their range. However, they are still vulnerable to habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and urbanization. They are also sometimes hunted for their meat.