Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level II - The Herbivores - Klipspringer

Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level II - The Herbivores - Klipspringer - Page 25

Trophic Level II - The Herbivores
Klipspringer
Page 25

Oreotragus oreotragus

Length: 75-115 cm (29-45")

Height: 43-60 cm (17-24")

Tail: 6-10 cm (2-4")

Weight: 8-18 kg (18-40 lb.)

Status: Common

Habitat: This antelope is found widely in Africa wherever there is sufficient cover and food. It is not found on the open plains. Klipspringers prefer areas with steep, rocky cliffs.

In the Serengeti-Mara, this antelope is the antelope associated with kopjes. It walks on the tips of its hoofs. This adaptation allows it to climb almost vertical cliffs. It is an excellent jumper and climber.

Food: Klipspringers must have access to water. They are browsers and eat a variety of leaves, shoots, berries, fruits and seed pods. From time to time, they will also eat grass.

Social System: Klipspringers are usually seen in pairs. The pairs stay together in the same territory for life. The territory averages between 8 and 37 hectares ( 20 to 81 acres) depending on the richness of vegetation. Territories of 121 hectares (299 acres) have been recorded in extremely dry regions.

Like dikdik, klipspringers mark their territory with dung middens and by scent posting. Every other day, the female leads the male around the territory's boundaries and she marks twigs with her preorbital gland. The male then leaves his scent over hers.

Male offspring leave of their own accord by the time they are one year old. Females leave a little later than males. Sometimes, daughters will stay in the parents’ territory and may even breed with their fathers. Such incestuous behavior is rare in the animal world.

Behavior: The male is always alert for danger (and for intruding males of his species). Kopjes normally have open rock faces and patches of grassland which the klipspringer uses for food. When they enter these areas, as they often do, they expose themselves to danger from predators. While the male stands guard, the female feeds and suckles its young.

When danger is spotted, the animals give an alarm whistle and flee to high ground. Once safe, that pair calls together. This alerts other animals to the presence of a predator and tells other klipspringers that the pair occupy the territory.

Predators: Leopards, jackals and spotted hyena will take all ages of klipspringers. Eagles and baboons will take calves.

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