PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The Springbok's coat is cinnamon fawn above with a dark reddish fawn horizontal band extending from the upper foreleg to the edge of the hip. It has a conspicuous black side band contrasting with white under parts. Three functions have been suggested for the black side-bands: they act as a visual signal to keep the herds together, they communicate when all the members are fleeing and they may break up the outline of individuals in a herd.

The animal's face is white with a dark band from eye to muzzle. The buttocks and rump are also white. Both sexes have short black ringed horns, sharply curved in at the tip.

The Springbok has a fold of skin extending along the middle of its back to the base of the tail. When alarmed, the animal turns the fold inside out displaying a crest of erect white hairs. These hairs probably serve as a warning signal.

DISTRIBUTION:

Springboks are found in Southern Africa west of the Drakensberg Mountains and northwards to Angola. They live on the open arid plains.

BEHAVIOR:

The Springbok's name arose from their habit of leaping 9-10 feet into the air when startled or at play. In springing, the body is curved, the legs are held stiff and close together, and the head is lowered. As soon as the animal lands on all four feet at once, it rebounds again with no apparent effort. The possible functions of this are that it communicates alarm, gives the animal a better view of the predator, and also confuses or even intimidates it.

Springboks are very gregarious. Four types of groupings occur: single territorial males; female groups with their recent offspring, usually associated with a territorial male; bachelor groups comprising non-breeding males without territories; and mixed groups of all sexes and ages that are common outside the breeding season.

During the breeding season the males establish territories, from which they actively exclude other mature males. Males mark their territories with urine and dung piles.

DIET:

Springboks thrive on karoo shrubs and grass and are able to get along well without much water which they must obtain partly from plants.

REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:

Springboks breed well in captivity. The mating season peaks in May, with the young being born in November and December. The gestation period is 171 days.