Observations on Territorial Behaviour of Springbok, Antidorcas Marsupialis, in the Bontebok National Park, Swellendam

Abstract

Some adult males defended territories of up to 40 ha in size all year round. Most males were seen both alone and with females on their territories. Males did not have permanent harems, since groups of females were fluid in composition and highly mobile. Groups of females moved into and out of male territories at will, despite attempts by the male to prevent them leaving.For ten marked males the minimum period spent on a territory ranged from 6,5 to 26 months. These males appeared to cover a wide age-range from young adult to old. Results of a quantitative study of daily activity of selected territorial males are presented. Males were observed for 12 consecutive daylight hours for a total of 13 days. The most important activity on a year-round basis was grazing. Courtship and defence of territory were second in importance.Aspects of territorial behaviour, such as courtship displays, defence of territory (by chasing out trespassing males), and advertising of territory by means of linked urination-defaecation displays on discrete dung-sites, are described.

Antidorcas marsupialis

“…This is usually accompanied by a leg tap, in which the male raises 1 foreleg and moves it laterally a few times without touching the female (Bigalke 1972;David 1978b). This continues until the female urinates or rejects the male by turning sideways or jumping back behind the male (Bigalke 1972;David 1978b). During copulation, the female continues walking while the male copulates with her as he walks bipedally behind her (David 1978b).…”

“…The male then takes short steps with stiff forelegs toward the female and points his head at the female's perineal region. This is usually accompanied by a leg tap, in which the male raises 1 foreleg and moves it laterally a few times without touching the female (Bigalke 1972;David 1978b). This continues until the female urinates or rejects the male by turning sideways or jumping back behind the male (Bigalke 1972;David 1978b).…”

“…Males grunt loudly, extend their head and neck forward, lay horns back, and hold tail horizontally while approaching females that have entered their territory (Bigalke 1972;David 1978b). Males perform a urination solicitation while standing in the nose-forward position and sniff the perineal region of the female (Bigalke 1972).…”

“…If the female urinates in response to this display, the male may sniff urine from the ground and perform ''flehmen,'' a lipcurl display. If the female does not urinate immediately after this display, the male often remains standing in the nose-forward display behind the female for several minutes (David 1978b). The male then takes short steps with stiff forelegs toward the female and points his head at the female's perineal region.…”

“…During the rut, territorial males do not have permanent harems; females are transient on the territories of males and males attempt to herd females that enter their territory (David 1978b). Males grunt loudly, extend their head and neck forward, lay horns back, and hold tail horizontally while approaching females that have entered their territory (Bigalke 1972;David 1978b).…”