Page 10 - Waterfall City Issue 10 October 2024

Waterfall City News

FACT GUIDE overcoming obstacles.
Some interesting facts regarding our No fixed breeding season:
Herbivore family: Springbuck can breed throughout the
year, but their reproductive activity
often peaks with the arrival of the
rainy season, when resources are more
plentiful.

Springbuck
Pronking: The Springbuck’s unique
behaviour of jumping vertically, known
Blesbuck as pronking, is a distinctive display
Distinctive facial marking: The name used to communicate strength or
“blesbok” comes from the distinctive evade predators.
white facial blaze, which is a defining Water independence: Springbuck are
characteristic of this species. well adapted to arid environments and Steenbok
Limited natural range: Historically, the can survive without water for extended Incredible camouflage and
Blesbuck was only found in the highveld periods by relying on moisture from evasiveness: Steenbokkies are highly
grasslands of South Africa, making its their food. skilled at camouflage and evading
range much smaller than many other Seasonal colour change: The predators. When they sense danger,
African antelope species. Springbuck’s coat changes seasonally they freeze in place, blending into their
Social structure: Blesbuck exhibit a clear to provide better camouflage in surroundings. They suddenly sprint
division in their social groups, with males varying environments. away in a zigzag pattern if approached
and females forming separate herds Unique skin flap: The Springbuck has too closely to avoid capture.
most of the time. a special skin fold along its back, which Solitary and territorial: Unlike many
Low-speed runner: Blesbuck are not can open to display a white patch of fur antelope species that form herds,
as fast as some other African antelope, during excitement or alarm. steenbokkies are solitary animals. They
relying more on stamina when fleeing Historical mass migrations establish and defend territories, often
predators. (“Trekbokke”): The massive staying with the same mate for long
Non-migratory: Blesbuck are known for Springbuck migrations of the past, periods. The male and female will live
their sedentary behaviour, with minimal known as “trekbokke,” were once a in the same area but remain apart,
migration compared to other large, common feature of southern Africa’s except during the breeding season.
hoofed mammals in Africa. grasslands. Adaptation to arid environments:
Extinction threat: Blesbuck were nearly Highly efficient digestive system: Steenbok are well adapted to survive
hunted to extinction in the 1800s, but Springbuck have adapted to survive on in dry environments. They do not need
private conservation efforts on farms low-nutrient diets due to their efficient to drink water regularly as they obtain
helped restore their numbers. digestive system. most of their hydration from the plants
Selective grazers: Blesbuck prefer short, Unique social bonds: Young male they eat, a useful adaptation for living
nutrient-rich grasses, making them Springbuck often form bachelor in dry grasslands and savannas.
essential for maintaining the balance and herds, essential in maintaining social Unique burrowing behaviour:
diversity of grass species in their habitats. dynamics and preparing males for Steenbokkies are one of the few
Behaviour during hot weather: future territorial dominance. antelope species known to use
Blesbuck are known to avoid the heat Extraordinary jumping ability: burrows. They will hide in abandoned
of the day and graze during the cooler Springbuck can leap great distances aardvark or warthog burrows to escape
periods, indicating sensitivity to high horizontally and vertically, a skill that predators, a behaviour uncommon in
temperatures. aids them in escaping predators and most other antelope species.

8 Waterfall City Issue 10 2024