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Scientific Name: Damaliscus pygargus,
Domaliscus dorcas dorcas
Common Name: Bontebok
Distribution: South Africa, Namibia
Description: Bontebok and blesbok are very similar and share an
adult colour 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 savannah 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 bonte-bok 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. Bonte-bok 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:
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