(Antidorcas marsupialis)
The Springbok is a medium-sized antelope found mainly in southern and southwestern Africa. Springbok comes from the African words spring (“jump”) and bok (“antelope” or “goat”). They generally live in herds of females with offspring and a few dominant males.
A feature unique to the springbok is pronking, in which the springbok performs multiple leaps into the air, up to 6ft above the ground, in a stiff-legged posture, with the back bowed and the white flap pointed. This behavior is used to distract predators. The white flap of skin goes from their tail to the mid point of their back and can stand up to display white hairs, this can be used to alert herd members of nearby predators. Both males and females have black, curved, lyre shaped horns.
These animals are incredibly fast and can reach speeds of 60 miles per hour.
Springbok used to form large herds of more than a million animals to migrate, these were called treks.
There are no major threats to the survival of the species; they are one of the few antelope species considered to have an expanding population.
The springbok is the national animal of South Africa.
Fast Facts
Country of Origin: South Africa
Weight: 66 - 105 lbs
Size: 29 -35 inches tall
Lifespan: 7-9 years in the wild
Diet: The springbok feeds on shrubs and succulents; they can live without drinking water for years, meeting its requirements through eating succulent vegetation.