Special Features
- Both males and females have curved, black-ringed horns. The males are up to 19 inches long while the females are smaller.
- A pocket-like flap of skin lined with white hair extends from the middle of the back to the rump. When excited or frightened, this flap turns inside out revealing a crest of erect white hairs along the back ("stotting"). This warns other member of the herd of danger.
- "Pronking" is a specialized type of gazelle-jumping behavior that springboks display. When pronking they can leap up to 13 feet in the air with their body curved and the legs stiff.
- They can run up to 55 miles per hour.
- Young males have been known to accidentally lock horns during territorial fights or play and not be able to become unhooked.
- They drink water only when it is available. During droughts they seek out flowers for moisture since it holds more than grass.
- During times of extreme drought massive herds numbering up to 1 million will move outside their normal range. This is called trekbokken.
Social Structure & Behavior
Breeding & Care of Young
Gestation is 6 months. Single offspring. Weaned after 6 months. Reproduce every two years. Females mature at 1 year old and males at 2 years old.
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