If possible, they will avoid trees and bushes, although this is unavoidable when the temperature rises during the middle of summer. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The gazelles jump high in the sky to escape from predators and use camouflage to blend in. From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. Springboks are herbivores, and feed only on plants. It is also one of the rarest deer and antelope species with increasing numbers. Older, younger, or unsuccessful males group together in bachelor herds, looking for potential mates when they can. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In fact, they have the amazing ability to survive the entire South African dry season without water. If youre wondering whats the difference between male and female springboks, the easiest way to distinguish the sexes is to look at the horns. Stotting also warns other gazelles that a predator is close, so the predator loses its chance of a surprise attack. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Springboks have adapted to survive in very harsh arid environments. Springbok are grazers and browsers, and prefer open grasslands to woodland or rocky areas. You can distinguish these animals from other antelope by looking at their faces, which are white, with a dark stripe running from their eyes to their mouths. The historic range of springbok stretched across the dry grasslands, bushlands, and shrublands of southwestern and southern Africa; springbok migrated sporadically in southern parts of the range. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Springboks reveal this white hair when they start pronking. Pronking is one of the most incredible wildlife behaviors you can witness anywhere in Africa. 2017-02-15 19:27:42. The common name "springbok" comes from the Afrikaans words spring ("jump") and bok ("antelope" or "goat"); the first recorded use of the name dates to 1775. Martial eagles and tawny eagles swoop down, then carry newborns into the sky. Their numbers have been greatly reduced in South Africa in the last century, and today they are more commonly found in Namibia and northern Botswana. Previously, when hunting without a license for springbok was legal, the meat of springboks provided an abundant supply of protein to a growing population in southern Africa. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Description of the Springbok. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. You are looking out for lions, elephants, and unusual species, so its easy to miss the abundant springbok. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Focus Statement: The springbok gazelle has two main defense mechanisms to protect itself from predators. Leopards and cheetahs like this type of meal, as do hyenas and sometimes lions. They spend their days browsing for food, resting, and sometimes pronking or sparring when excited. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. By eating foods with lots of water in them, these animals can live in arid regions without having to rely on water sources.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'animals_net-banner-1','ezslot_7',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-banner-1-0'); Humans actually benefit Springboks, and their populations are increasing. Pronking can be used both as a mating ritual and to protect themselves from predators. The horns curve backward at the top. Importantly, springbok are faster than all their predators, except for cheetahs, the fastest animal of all. Large populations of springboks thrive in southern Africa, especially in Angola and Botswana. Gazelles rely on their speed to escape from predators. Ostriches live in a group called a herd. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for, Fun Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Facts For Kids. No other gazelle has this hidden pouch. What is the Denouement of the story a day in the country? 1 How many different defense mechanisms does the Springbok have? We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. It involves an odd looking jump into the air, with the back bowed, tail clamped down, neck bowed and legs extremely straight. Springboks are endemic to the savannas of southwestern Africa, including the countries of Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, and Angola.2021-05-30. Larger males will quickly kick out any rivals. Well-adapted to its arid habitat, the springbok meets its necessary water intake with the grasses and succulent plants that comprise its diet. Carrots have 88%, spinach 91%, and celery 95%. Springboks prefer to feed in the open as this provides greater protection from predators. Why did the Gupta Empire collapse 3 reasons? These cooler hours are when the springbok are most active and do most of their pronking and grazing. Despite being the national animal of South Africa, they are hunted as game in the continent for their prized meat and skin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Springbok are desert-adapted animals that youll only see in Southern Africa. How does an ostrich get killed by a predator? The springbok is a small antelope, reddish-brown with a pale underside. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. How fast can a springbok move? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. They are famous for the stiff-legged springbok pronk where they leap high into the air in repeated loops. 3 How does the springbok gazelle protect itself? They have their speed, which, as mentioned above, can outrun most of their predators. Springbok calves remain with the mother for nursing until they are five to six months old. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. Springbok Represents the Persistence of Apartheid Structures in South Africa. How does the springbok gazelle protect itself? Fawns are born in the rainy season, and form separate'crches' with their mothers for several weeks before rejoining the main herd. The horns of nountian gazelles are the most utilized form of defense against predation. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. They know that their hunters wont travel so far from water, so they get to graze in peace. up to speeds of 50-56 mph, and can long jump up to 15 m. They may Thats a very useful animal defense mechanism. See answer (1) Best Answer Copy They don't necessarily have a way to 'defend' themselves, but they do have ways to deter a predators attention to another. In comparison, springbok will deliberately choose pastures that are as far away from water as possible. Sometimes a springbok jumps into the air with its back arched and its legs held together. An African springbok feeds on grass, hay, shrubs, and desert succulents. How plants protect themselves from sun damage: Study reveals a mechanism that plants can use to dissipate excess sunlight as heat . They're more of a flee type of animal. Springbok habitat Springboks inhabit dry, open plains; from deserts to savannahs and shrublands, and from sea level up to South Africas Highveld plateau area (3)(5). This species stands about 2.5 ft. tall, and weighs between 70 and 100 lbs. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Once the pair mate, females have a gestation period of 150180 days. As the dry season arrives, they begin eating flowers and leaves, which have higher water content. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Wiki User. 72-75 cm. They are part of the Bovidae family, along with other antelope, wildebeest, buffalo, water buffalo, impala, gazelle, and more. Back side of the body of Thomsons gazelle is covered with tan or cinnamon colored fur. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 2 What are gazelles defense against predators? Enormous protruding ears help give springbok an exceptional sense of hearing. what type of danger zone is needed for this exercise. You can regularly encounter them outside national parks and reserves. They can be seen with zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and wildebeest, which are more easy prey for cheetahs, lions, etc. Usually, they cool off by digging away the top layer of earth and bedding down in the cooler dirt and sand underneath. This is done to cover and protect calves for the first three to four weeks after they are born. There is a dark brown stripe on each of their flanks that separates the color of their upper parts from their underside. When excited or frightened, a springbok performs a number of vertical stiff-legged jumps up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) high, with the head down, hooves bunched and an arched back, called pronking. These leaps are supposed to distract predators like cheetahs and lions. The springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a medium-sized antelope found mainly in southern and southwestern Africa. When water is plentiful, primarily during the rainy season, they feed on grasses. Ostrich hunting is legal, and you can hunt ostriches in any manner you prefer. A springbok does not do well in isolation as it is likely to be wary of predators. Unfortunately, a springbok does not have much to defend itself. It seems that springbok pronk purely for fun or to simply practice their high jumps for when mating season comes around. Before the colonialists arrived, its believed that springbok migrated across the Karoo in their millions. The Antidorcas marsupialis is identified by a striking visual feature of two distinct dark brown stripes on its face. Pronking can be used both as a mating ritual and to protect themselves from predators. How do Ostriches attack? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. A fully grown 30-40 kg might be okay for a smaller hunter like a cheetah or caracal, but it wont sustain a lion pride or leopard. The quills will penetrate the skin of the attacker and the barbs will hold the quill in the attacker's skin. 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