Quick stats of the Springbok

• Diet: - Herbivore
• Shoulder Height: - 0.75 m
• Weight: - Male - 42.8 kg
• Weight: - Female - 38.8 kg
• Lifespan - 11 years

Description

The Springbok is South Africa’s national animal and the only southern African gazelle. They are found in open, dry bush, grasslands or riverbeds near water.

Springbok are both browsers and grazers, feeding on shrubs, grasses, roots and bulbs.
They are known for their incredibly fast stiff-legged jumps and can leap 3,5m and can reach a speeds of up to 90km/h. Despite their remarkable speed, they still remain vulnerable to cheetahs and leopards.

They are sociable and are found in small groups which form larger herds of up to 100 head during dry months. Herds are often seen with other herds of animals including Blesbok, ostriches and wildebeest.

The mother gives birth to a single lamb after a gestation period of about 6 months. They are more frequently born during the rainy season when vegetation is plentiful. Mothers hide their newborn young amongst grass or in a bush where it keeps dead still for two days. Soon after, the lamb achieves speed and strength and it is able to flee if threatened or troubled.

Other Names for the Springbok

• No other Names

Distribution

Distribution map of the Springbok

Taxonomy of the Springbok

• Order - Artiodactyla
• Family - Bovidae
• Sub Family - Antilopinae
• Genus - Antidorcas
• Species - Antidorcas marsupialis