WILDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA
 
STEENBOK
Latin Name: Raphicerus campestris
Afrikaans: Steenbok
Steenbok
Distribution in South Africa:
 Widely distributed throughout South Africa except in certain parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu–Natal.
Habitat:
 Steenbok prefer more open habitat – bushveld savannah and grassveld with adjacent bush and shrub to hide in when danger lurks. They do not generally occur in thick forests or in rocky mountains.
Habits:
 Solitary except in mating season or ewes with a young lamb. They settle in territories which they will defend against intruders (other steenbok) that transgress on their territory. In the heat of day they usually lie hiding in the shade under shrubs or bushes.
Day or night:
 Mainly diurnal but sometimes active by night for a while.
Difference between
male (ram) and female (ewe):
 Rams have horns and ewes don’t.
Mass:
 Male: 9 – 13 Kilograms
Female: 11 – 13 Kilograms
Breeding:
 Mainly in summer but could be any time of year. The lamb is hidden by the ewe for a few weeks up to a few months and she returns daily to clean the lamb and let the lamb suckle.
Gestation period:
 168 to 173 days - about 5 and a half months.
Lifespan:
 6- 7 years
Food and water:
 Not water dependent - can get enough moisture out of the food they eat but will drink water when available – They are mainly browsers and eat leaves, shoots, seeds and wild fruits. They seldom eat grass. In some areas they will dig for roots and bulbs with their front hoofs – Feeding takes place mainly in the early morning and late afternoon but they will be active at night in areas where they are disturbed by day.
Enemies:
 Lion, Leopard, Hyena, African Wild Dog, Jackal, Caracal, Serval, Pythons, Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, large eagles like Verreauxe’s Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, Humans and their dogs.
Status:
 Widely Distributed and plentiful.
Interesting facts:
 Steenbok scrape a hole in the ground where they bury their dung. They defecate and urinate in the small hollow and then rake sand over it with their front hooves.