What does the word Springboks mean?
springboknoun. A small antelope native to southern Africa. Etymology: From springbok, from springen, to spring + bok, goat, antelope. Springboknoun. A member of South Africa’s national rugby union team (“the Springboks”).
What is a Springbok in Africa?
The Springbok (Afrikaans: spring = jump; bok = antelope, deer, or goat) (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a small brown and white gazelle that stands about 75 cm high. The Latin name marsupialis derives from a pocket-like skin flap which extends along the middle of the back on to the tail.
What is a Springbok of South Africa?
Why do Springboks jump?
Male springbok (rams), engage in this behaviour in order to impress the females (ewes), showing off their ability to jump high into the air and display the hidden white fur, which releases a scented secretion from the inner glandular skin.
Why are there no Springbok in the Kruger Park?
The habitat in the Kruger National Park is not suitable for them, and they have never historically occurred in the region. They prefer dry areas with extreme heat. They are beautiful antelope that can often be found in large herds.
Where do Springboks sleep?
During summer, springboks sleep under trees or bushes in the shade, although they will bed down out in the open when temperatures are cooler.
Are there Springbok in Kruger?
Springbok are widely distributed throughout South Africa and is also the National Animal of South Africa. There are no Springbok in the Kruger National Park, but Springbok can be found in a number of national parks especially in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park where they have occurred naturally for hundreds of years.
Where are Springboks found?
South Africa
How far can Springboks jump?
Springbok often go into bouts of repeated high leaps of up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) into the air – a practice known as pronking (derived from the Afrikaans pronk, “to show off”) or stotting.
Do Springboks eat meat?
Springboks aren’t predators and therefore don’t feed on other animals. However, other creatures regularly dine on them. People have often hunted these ungulates for purposes of acquiring their flesh, for example. Apart from humans, big cats such as cheetahs and lions also occasionally prey on them.
How do Springboks defend themselves?
Pronking is also often used by adult springbok as a form of self-defence to make themselves appear larger when under threat. It involves an odd looking jump into the air, with the back bowed, tail clamped down, neck bowed and legs extremely straight.
How much do Springboks weigh?
Male: 33 – 48 kgAdult
What is Springboks habitat?
Springbok habitat Springboks inhabit dry, open plains; from deserts to savannahs and shrublands, and from sea level up to South Africa’s Highveld plateau area (3)(5). It prefers areas of short grasses and avoids tall grass, woodland and other areas where vegetation restricts movement and visibility (3).
Where do Springboks camouflage?
The ostrich’s head is always exposed on top of the ground. It is just well camouflaged! Many animal babies also use camouflage. Springbok fawns stay hidden in the brush before they join the herd with their mother.
How do Springboks camouflage?
When predators approach, the springbok quickly uses camouflage. When it sees a predators the springbok crest of white hair stick up like toast coming out of the toaster. That’s a very useful animal defense mechanism. In conclusion , jumping and camouflage are a very, very useful defense mechanism.
Do Springboks have pouches?
Springbok will turn their pouch inside out to release a special scent from their inner glandular skin. This substance smells a little like honey and is used to attract females.
How much is a Springbok in South Africa?
Rarer color phase variants will cost more, with black springbok starting at about $500 in South Africa to $1000 in Namibia, and white and copper color phases in the $800-$900 range in South Africa and $1,000-$1,200 in Namibia.
How many Springboks are in South Africa?
Springbok are listed as Least Concern due to their widespread distribution within the assessment region, a current (2013–2015) estimated mature population size of 76,446–77,545 animals (formally protected areas alone contain 46,115–47,214 mature individuals in 48 subpopulations) and because the overall population is …