 Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus )
Description. Klipspringers are
small, stocky bovids. The males have wide-set, spike-like horns
averaging 10cm long. Males and females have preorbital glands, males
have preputial glands, and neither sex has hoof glands. The coat is
thick and dense; the individual hairs are loosely connected to the skin
and are hollow. This hair type is unique among bovids and otherwise
found only in pronghorns and the white tailed deer.
Size. Adult females are slightly
larger than males (Female height: 50-53cm; Male height: 49-52cm).
Habitat. They live in steep, rocky
terrain and are most common in mountain ranges and gorges of major
rivers. They are abundant in suitable habitat (as many as 45 animals
per square kilometer), but they are patchily distributed among
outcroppings of rock.
Behavior. Klipspringers form
territorial, tightly knit, monogamous pairs that share a permanent home
range. The mean group size is 2.6; most groups are male-female pairs or
family groups of a pair and the young of the year. Single klipspringers
generally make up less than 10% of the population and are almost always
unmated males. Pairs maintain proximity, and the male typically stands
guard while the female forages and cares for the young. During the dry
season, when resources are scarce, pairs will congregate into small
groups of 6-8 individuals. These groups dissolve into pairs once food
becomes abundant. Klipspringers mark the perimeter of their terriroties
with secretions from their preorbital glands and with dung deposits.
Males actively defend their territory from conspecifics by
horn-presenting and by chasing intruders. Males fight by stabbing and
butting heads; females fight by biting.
Diet. Klipspringers are selective
browsers. They prefer lush evergreen shrubs and herbs but will eat
fruit, seed pods, flowers and lichens. They will leave their home
ranges to forage on new grass shoots. They drink when water is
available but they generally get water from their food.
Predators. In hte Langeberg area,
predominantly leopards.
Reproduction.
Females give birth to one young after a seven month gestation period.
Young are born in a protected rocky recess and remain hidden for 2-3
months. Young join the parents after 2-3 months and are weaned after
4-5 months. Horns begin to develop at 6 months and are fully grown at
17-18 months. Young reach adult size after one year.
On Wildcliff. Seen
jumping on rocks and browsing in the kloof below Ena's Falls.
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