Learn all about the small, delicate South African steenbok antelope.
The steenbok is a small antelope that lives on the plains of South Africa, as well as Tanzania, south Kenya and Mozambique. It is one of the loveliest and most lovable of the African bucks. The steenbok prefers to live in dry area that feature rocks and bushy areas. The steenbok has large eyes and gigantic ears. It has a tuft of a tail. The female is usually larger than the male, weighing in at about thirteen kilograms (thirty pounds). The coloring of the animal is rufous fawn with white on the abdomen, inside legs, eyebrows and a patch on the throat. The animal has facial glands in front of its eyes.
Only the male steenbok has horns. These are almost vertical from the head, with a slight curve at the tip. They are sharp and smooth. He will not use these implements to ward off predators, however. If an attacker approaches, the steenbok will lie flat in the grass. He will keep his large ears folded back. He will stay frozen in such a position until the predator is almost within reach. Then he will jump to his feet and run as fast as he can. Every now and again he will look back to see how close his pursuer has gotten.
The steenbok does not group together in large herds. The average square mile of steenbok country may feature between one and ten animals. Essentially, though, the animal is sedentary. He will feed throughout the daylight hours.
The steenbok has a pedal gland which are apparently unused. They also have a gland underneath the throat called an intermandibular gland. This si better developed in males than in females. The only other antelope that has been seen to exhibit such a gland is the European Musk Deer.
The steenbok is a herbivore, feeding on the leaves of bushes and most grasses. It is preyed on by all of the African big cats, as well as baboons and other large monkeys. The martial eagle is yet another feared predator. However, some steenbok have been recorded to feed on meat by killing young ground birds. This would be very rare, however, done during a time of hardship.
The male steenbok will mark out an exclusive territory, of which he will be protective. It would appear that the male will use such man made barriers as telegraph lines to mark out his territory.
A characteristic of the steenbok is that before it defecates or urinates, it will first clear a spot with its front hooves and then, afterwards, cover over the contents by scraping soil over the spot. This marks the steenbok as the only bovine to scrape the ground before urinating.
The steenbok mainly breeds around the October through December period, but this can occur at any time of the year. Gestation period is five and a half months. Babies are normally born singly. The steenbok is monogamous and will remain mated for life.
The steenbok has been known to take refuge from predators in aardvark burrows. The burrows are also used as places for the female to breed. They can also serve as a type of nursery for the baby until it is able to fend for itself.
The steenbok is a vital source of food for the famous bushmen of the Kalahari Desert. Despite this, however, the bushmen hold the steenbok in high regard. Many times the bushmen have observed the animal standing without fear as white men have blasted rifle shots in it's direction, to nonchalantly wander out of gun shot range when it gets the urge to do so. It is this fearlessness, along with the grace and agility of the steenbok, that has won this incredible animal the respect that it so richly deserves among the natives of Africa.
