 Grey Rhebok (Pelea
capreolus )
Description. Grey Rhebok are
graceful antelope with long, slender necks, and very long, pointed
ears. They have a stiff-legged, rocking horse gait, and show the white
underside of their tail as they streak away, often upwards on the
slopes of mountains. The upper parts are
brownish gray, the face and legs are yellowish, and the underparts of
the body and the tail are white. The horns, only found in males, are
straight or slightly bent forward, upright, and 200-250mm in length.
Size. Shoulder
height: male 0.8 m, female 0.7 m. About 1.15 to 1.25 m in
length. Weight about 20 to 30 kilograms.
Habitat. Grey rhebok live among rocks and
tangled growth on mountain sides and plateaus, but where protected,
they will venture to grassy valleys and pastures.
Behavior. P. capreolus is active during the
day in sporadic bouts of grazing and resting, tending to rest in shade
during noon hours. The antelope forms two types of social groups. The
first consists of many females and one dominant male, which is normally
a collection of around 8 animals but can reach as high as 30. The other
social group is made up of solitary males looking to invade a group
with females. During mating times, fights between dominant and solitary
males are frequent, and it is not uncommon for one of the contestants
to be killed.
Diet. The grey rhebok is
predominantly a browser. Fecal analysis showed that dicotyledons
comprised of 88 percent of its diet, with over 90 percent dicotyledons
in winter and dicotyledon consumption declining by 10 percent in summer.
Predators. Leopards.
Reproduction.
Generally one male travels with a group of females and defends the
group from other intruding males. Harem defense includes postural
displays, snorting and stamping, and serious fighting (Kingdon, 1997).
Males that are unable to win or maintain a territory are frequently
solitary. Mating takes place in April, when males
fight over females. A single calf is born in November and December
On
Wildcliff.
Groups often seen
grazing in the meadows.
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