Steenbok

[Mel]

One of the cutest antelopes.

[Toko]

Yeah!

[Amoli]

Great choice Keshehe - and I do have pics.

[Amoli]

Rietvlei - December 2013

[Kesheshe]

[Kesheshe]

Steenbok have good eyesight and excellent hearing, and are adept at spotting danger. Their defence mechanism is to stand still, hiding for as long as possible. If this ploy isn't successful, they will flee, running in a zig-zag pattern to escape the predator chasing them. During their dash to safety, they typically stop periodically, look back and try to hide again by freezing. They have been seen to escape and hide in abandoned dens and burrows

Steenbok are generally herbivores, browsing on low-level vegetation such as young leaves, flowers and shoots of various plants. They have the ability to survive for long periods of time without water, getting all the moisture they need from food. When necessary, particularly in the dry months, they will use their sharp hooves to dig up bulbs and tubers for their moisture content.

Although it is believed that Steenbok pair for life, the male and female of each pair live a fairly solitary existence within their large territory, which they will both defend. They come together only to breed, and after a gestation period of approximately 5 ½ months a single fawn is born. The baby steenbok is able to stand a mere few minutes after birth, but although able to run a follow the ewe within the hour, it will remain hidden by its mother for a few weeks. During that time she will return to the youngster several times a day to clean it and allow it to suckle.

[nan]

with a young

28.9.2009

[Flutterby]

Kruger, October 2010





Kruger, October 2011



Kruger, October 2012

[Dewi]

Great choice Kesheshe. Love these little Antelopes.

KTP

[Kesheshe]

Great photos.

Dewi amazing eye contact.