Grey Rhebok

Pelea capreolus

Description - Other Names - Distribution - Taxonomy

Grey Rhebok (Pelea capreolus) Silhouette

Quick stats

Diet: - Herbivore
Shoulder Height: - 0.75 m
Weight: - Male - 22 kg
Weight: - Female - 21 kg
Lifespan

Description

Grey Rhebok © TourSA

Grey Rhebok are often found grazing in small groups, on rocky hills or slopes and rocky plains in South Africa.

As the name suggests, it has a thick grey coat and white underbelly. It is easily seen by the white underneath its tail, which it holds up as it sprints away. Unlike the mountain reedbuck, the rhebok has straight horns which are parallel.

They are often seen resting during the heat of the day. Being grazers, they only eat grass, but they are not dependant on water to survive, as they get most of their moisture through grazing.

Thanks to its strong leap and speed, the rhebok stays out of reach of any possible predators such as leopards, cheetahs, jackals, caracals and eagles.

Herds are led by one dominant male. This male is highly territorial using a clicking noise as well as aggressive displays indicating his possession over his territory and females. Females have a gestation period of 8-9 months followed by the birth of a single lamb.

Other Names

Vaalribbok

Distribution

Distribution map
of the
Grey Rhebok

Taxonomy

Order - Artiodactyla
Family - Bovidae
Sub Family - Reduncinae
Genus - Pelea
Species - Pelea capreolus

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