WILDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA |
| CAPE GRYSBOK |
Latin Name: Raphicerus melanotis Afrikaans: Kaapse Grysbok |
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Distribution in South
Africa: |
South western and southern coastal areas and the adjacent interior. Cape Grysbok are mainly found in a narrow strip from the Western Cape and then along the coast and adjacent interior towards the Eastern Cape, Transkei area and the extreme southern KwaZulu – Natal. There have been reports of Cape Grysbok being observed at the slopes of the Southern Drakensberg. |
Habitat: |
Coastal vegetation like fynbos and shrub bush, also coastal forests and then dense bush in the adjacent interior. They also occur in ravines and along rivers and streams and on the slopes of hills and mountains in the adjacent interior. |
| Habits: |
They are usually solitary except when ewes have young or in mating season when rams and ewes come together for a period of mating. |
Day or night: |
Mainly nocturnal although in some areas active by day. |
Difference between male and female: |
Only rams have horns. |
Mass: |
Male: 9 to 12 kilograms Female: 9 to 12 kilograms |
| Breeding: |
Lambs are usually born during September / October December. |
Gestation period: |
About 6 months |
| Diet / Food and water: |
Mainly grazers (grass eaters) but will also eat leaves, seeds pods and wild fruits. Is not water dependent. |
| Enemies: |
Leopard, Brown Hyena, Jackal, Lynx, Caracal, Domestic dogs, Humans. |
Interesting Facts: |
Not much is known about this small antelope and little research is commonly available. |