The Klipspringer

The Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) is a small species of antelope that lives in Africa. Its name literally means "rock jumper" in Afrikaans, a language that is primarily spoken in South Africa and Namibia, and to a lesser extent, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

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Physical Characteristics
The Klipspringer reaches a height at about 22 inches (58 cm) at the shoulder, making it smaller than most other antelopes. They stand on the tips of their hooves and can fit all four of their hooves on piece of cliff the size of a Canadian dollar coin (known as a Loonie), roughly 33 mm in diameter. The horns of a male Klipsringer can reach about 10-15 cm (4-6 inches). In eastern African populations the females also have horns.

Habitat Distribution


Klipsringers are found from the Cape of Good Hope where they are often found in mountain fynbos (natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa. For more information, look here) through the rest of South Africa where it is often found in Koppies in woodland savanna, north to East Africa, and into the highly mountainous areas of Ethiopia.


Reproduction and Behavior

This little animal could very well be likened to the mountain goat in the way that it manages to move across the rocky terrain that it calls home. It is crepuscular, being active mainly in the morning and in the late afternoon, taking shelter at other times among the rocks and overhanging cliffs. Groups have exclusive home ranges which they defend against others. Territories are in larger areas with low rainfall and groups consist of mainly mated pairs instead of herds. The adult female tends to initiate most of the group movements but the male seems to be the one most responsible for defense. Generally one member of the pair will stand as lookout, helping to protect the others from danger. When they are alarmed they let out a shrill whistle and the others then disappear higher into the rocks. Both genders scent mark the territory with secretions from the preorbital gland and by defecation.


Reproduction is non-seasonal in south-central Africa but occurs but in Ethiopia it occurs in August-September. The weight of the offspring when born is about 2.2 lbs. They remain hidden for 2-3 months and weaning occurs at about 4-5 months. Young males separate from the family when they are about 1 year old, but females may remain longer. Gestation is about 214 days.



Diet


Klipspringers are herbivores, eating plants that come from rocky terrain, and mountainous habitats. They never need to drink because they get plenty of water from the succulent plants that they eat


Threats

Their primary predators are leopards, caracals, eagles, baboons, hyenas, and humans. As far as their conservation status, the IUCN, as of 2008, lists the Klipspringer as of least concern as their population has been estimated at least 40,000 25% of which are residing in protected areas.


For more information on the IUCN listing, click here. For more information on the IUCN itself, click here..