Steenbok

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pooky
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Meet Jake the Steenbok

Post by pooky »

I am now sure if this in the right place - Mods please move if need be.

Jake, the steenbok, lives in Ceres with his human family. He was found after his mother had been
hit by a car. The crows had eaten his front legs off.

Our friend< Jon de Villiers was called in to assist. He makes artificial limbs for humans. In the beginning
he said parts of syringes were used to fit on to the tiny stumps. It was a bit of trial and error at first and sometimes
the parts didn't stay on Jake's little legs. Eventually Jon got it right. Then it was a mater of returning every
few months to make adjustments as Jake grew.

Now 4 years later this is what Jake looks like with the latest 'legs' which were fitted this last weekend.
A happy little chappie I think ^Q^ ^Q^

Kudos to Jon for this awesome effort which is all done free of charge 0/0 \O \O

Image


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Flutterby
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Re: Meet Jake the Steenbok

Post by Flutterby »

What a lovely story Pooky...thanks for sharing! \O \O


Twigga
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Re: Meet Jake the Steenbok

Post by Twigga »

Heart warming!! Thanks Pooky!

And to the other angels involved in this lovely story! O0

^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^


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Bushcraft
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Re: Meet Jake the Steenbok

Post by Bushcraft »

Great stuff ^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^

Thanks for sharing this pooky X#X


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Mel
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Re: Meet Jake the Steenbok

Post by Mel »

Looks unusual - but a heart-warming story! O0

(Maybe we move it to wildlife experiences?)


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harrys
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Re: Meet Jake the Steenbok

Post by harrys »

Great story ^Q^ ^Q^


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nan
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Re: Meet Jake the Steenbok

Post by nan »

lovely story \O ... and :-?
I would like to see Jake walking, running, eating.....


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Errol1
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Re: Meet Jake the Steenbok

Post by Errol1 »

Hi Jake, you are a part of the Wildy Family now 0/* ...thanks for sharing Pooky... \O


Kesheshe
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Steenbok

Post by Kesheshe »

Steenbok

Common name: Steenbok
Scientific name: Raphicerus campestris
Other names: Steinbok, steenbuck, steinbuck, Raphicère champètre, Steinböckchen, Isha, Dondor

Physical Characteristics

Head and body length: 70-95 cm
Shoulder height: 45-60 cm
Tail length: 5-10 cm
Adult weight: 7-16 kg

Steenbok are petite antelope, with long legs and an upright stance. The coat is a light golden-brown colour, although there is some variation among individuals with some being quite reddish and others more grey. The undersides are white. Steenbok have few distinctive markings: the large eyes are ringed by a fine circle of white hairs, and there is a slender black triangle which starts at the nose and tapers upwards. The ears are extremely large. The horns, found only in males, are straight, sharp, and very upright. They will grow 7-19 cm long.

Similar species Grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) are similar in size and colour to steenbok, but are typically more grizzled (greyer) in appearance. The face of the grey duiker is usually marked by a black blaze which runs from the top of the head right down to the nose; it also has smaller, more slender ears. Oribi (Ourebia ourebi) are similar in colour and form to the steenbok, but are larger and more slender. There is a distinctive black patch at the base of the ear, and no black on the front of the face.

Reproduction and Development

Gestation period: 170 days.
Litter size: 1.
Weaning: 3 months.
Sexual maturity: Females as early as 6-7 months, males begin to mature around 9 months.
Life span: 10-12 years.

Baby steenbok may be born throughout the year, and can stand and walk just a few minutes after birth. However, the infant is usually hidden away by its mother for a few weeks before beginning to follow her around.

Ecology and Behaviour

Steenbok tend to be most active during the day, although when temperatures peak at midday they may seek refuge in shade. This species appears to live in monogamous pairs which share a territory some 4-100 hectares in size - however, the two animals are usually found apart and only come together to breed. The territory is marked by both sexes by using dung heaps. When threatened, steenbok will hide by lying on the ground and freezing in order to avoid the danger. If the threat continues to approach, they will rocket away for a short distance and then try to hide again. Aardvark burrows may be used as refuges.

Family group: Solitary, although a stable pair (which meets up solely for breeding) shares one territory. Diet: Mostly leaves from shrubs and trees, but also fruits and grasses. Main Predators: All major predators, including wild cats (both large and small) and pythons. Infants may be hunted by smaller predators such as jackals, raptors, monitor lizards, and baboons.

Habitat and Distribution

Steenbok are found in open grassland with light tree cover across most of southern Africa. Another population lives in the stonier acacia grasslands of east Africa. The approximate range is depicted in the map below.


Kesheshe
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Re: Steenbok - Animal of the Month: June 2014

Post by Kesheshe »

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