Steenbok Ram
Wild South Africa
Kruger National Park
Although they are abundant and common I can't get enough of photographing this tiny “dwarf” antelope, with an average weight of around 12kgs (26 lbs) and a shoulder height of a mere 45–60 cms. They are a beautiful golden brown colour, and have very distinctive, overly-large ears which look completely out of proportion to their petit heads. Only the rams have horns, which are smooth, straight and very sharp.
They are highly territorial and can have territories as small as 900 square metres, which is only 30m x 30m. Such a small territory will have to contain some high quality food. Steenbok will eat anything from leaves and grasses to berries and seeds. If their food sources are high, steenbok may pair up for life, but in most cases these antelope are solitary creatures only coming together when they need to mate.
Once they have mated and the female gives birth, the young fawn will lie in the long grass for approximately 3 months with the ewe only moving it to get the scent trails away so that predators have a tough time finding them. Even the adults will use hiding as a form of defence, only springing out of the bush at the last moment to make a break for it.
Steenbok are also the only antelope to have toilet etiquette – they dig a hole in which they will urinate or defecate. Once finished they will cover the hole up which is useful for 2 reasons; firstly it retains the moisture and scent for longer meaning they have to mark their territory less. It also leaves less of a visual marker for predators, which is especially important seeing as they have such small territories.
A steenbok standing motionless in the shadow of a bush is almost invisible. The predators of the little steenbok are abundant. They are hunted by humans and all of the cat species, as well as wild dog and jackal, and have even been taken by pythons and large eagles.
They fascinate me more than any of the big cats!
Sabi-Sabi website
Steenbok Ram
Wild South Africa
Kruger National Park
Although they are abundant and common I can't get enough of photographing this tiny “dwarf” antelope, with an average weight of around 12kgs (26 lbs) and a shoulder height of a mere 45–60 cms. They are a beautiful golden brown colour, and have very distinctive, overly-large ears which look completely out of proportion to their petit heads. Only the rams have horns, which are smooth, straight and very sharp.
They are highly territorial and can have territories as small as 900 square metres, which is only 30m x 30m. Such a small territory will have to contain some high quality food. Steenbok will eat anything from leaves and grasses to berries and seeds. If their food sources are high, steenbok may pair up for life, but in most cases these antelope are solitary creatures only coming together when they need to mate.
Once they have mated and the female gives birth, the young fawn will lie in the long grass for approximately 3 months with the ewe only moving it to get the scent trails away so that predators have a tough time finding them. Even the adults will use hiding as a form of defence, only springing out of the bush at the last moment to make a break for it.
Steenbok are also the only antelope to have toilet etiquette – they dig a hole in which they will urinate or defecate. Once finished they will cover the hole up which is useful for 2 reasons; firstly it retains the moisture and scent for longer meaning they have to mark their territory less. It also leaves less of a visual marker for predators, which is especially important seeing as they have such small territories.
A steenbok standing motionless in the shadow of a bush is almost invisible. The predators of the little steenbok are abundant. They are hunted by humans and all of the cat species, as well as wild dog and jackal, and have even been taken by pythons and large eagles.
They fascinate me more than any of the big cats!
Sabi-Sabi website