Scientific Name: Damaliscus pygargus, Domaliscus dorcas dorcas
Common Name: Bontebok
Distribution: South Africa, Namibia
Description: Bontesbok and blesbok are very similar and share an adult color pattern where the relatively dark dorsal pelage contrasts sharply with high, white stockings and buttocks. Bontebok have a dark and glossy, purplish-brown dorsal pelage, while blesbok dorsal pelage is a dull, reddish-brown. Calves are born with lighter brown pelage and dark faces. Both sexes of both subspecies develop large and curving, gazelle-like horns Their short tail is tufted with black fur.
Difference in Sex:
Average Weight: 55 to 80 kg
Habitat: Open fynbos veld with grasses.
Habits: During the mating season, bontebok males entice females into their territories, parading their charms with an extravagant courtship ritual, in which the male bows down his head and lifts his tail over his back. Then, moving in tandem with the female, he rotates in small circles before copulating with her. Fights between bontebok are low-key events, and consist of two males kneeling and perhaps prodding at one another with their horns for just a few seconds, before one of them - usually the intruder - runs off. Bontebok may be seen during the heat of the day, standing in groups with their heads held low and facing the sun.
Main feeding time: diurnal
Size: Shoulder height (m) 90 cm, (f) 95 cm; mass (m) 61 kg, (f) 58 kg. Both sexes have horns
Gestation: 7.5-8.5 months
Number of young at birth: 1
Communication: grunting and snorting
Age: 16
Diet: Bontebok are herbivores, they graze on grasses and herbage. Bontebok eat primarily grasses in the genera Bromus and Danthonia, however bontebok also feed on Eragrostis.
Enemies:
Interesting facts:
Credits: Photo Copyright Brent Huffman, for more detailed information please visit www.ultimateungulate.com