Observations on the Behaviour and Feeding Habits of the Springbok,Antidorcas Marsupialis

Abstract

The stance and attitudes of the springbok are found to be similar to those of other gazelles. Gaits used are a rack-like walk (passgang), a trot and a gallop; display trot, the stott and the pronk are considered to be ritualised gaits of increa~ing intensity. Urination and defecation and comfort behaviour are described. Social behaviour is discussed and mixed herds, bachelor herds and solitary territorial males are shown to occur. Territorial marking is performed by taking up conspicuous positions, horn sweeping and ritualised defecation-urination. Mating behaviour resembles that of other gazelles and harem herds are common although some copulation was seen in larger groups. Agonistic behaviour involves little ritual display. Females and young form temporary herds; the young lie out and thereafter associate in "kindergarten" group!>. Communication is by various calls and by visual signals of which the erection of the dorsal fan is the most striking. Morning and evening peaks of activity occur.Previous studies of food eaten are reviewed and the results of rumen sample analysis presented. Karroid shrubs and the leaves of several bushes and trees were found to be the dominant food in June and July. Springbok drink but can survive in waterless areas. Open or semi-open habitats are preferred and the factors influencing the preference are discussed.In a previous publication (Bigalke 1970), some results of a general study of the springbok, Antidorcas marsupia/is, were presented. The account dealt with body weight, reproduction, herd composition and the structure of several populations. The purpose of this paper is to describe various aspects of springbok behaviour observed in the course of the same study. Particular attention is given to the composition of the diet, as deduced from analysing rumen samples collected during the winter months.Since the field work was terminated in 1964, a general account of the behaviour of the gazelles, among which the springbok is included, has appeared (Walther 1968). The springbok was not studied in detail and observations were confined to captive animals. Despite these limitations, there is close agreement between the behaviour patterns described for the gazelles in general, and for the springbok in particular, and my own findings.Walther uses the term 'gazelle' for the six genera Anti/ope, Antidorcas, Procapra, Gazella, Ammodorcas, and Litocranius. He regards them as members of the bovid subfamily Gazellinae, sensu Haltenorth (I 963), except that this author separates Ammodorcas from the other fivewhich Walther considers a mistake. Walther equates his Gazellinae with the traditional subfamily Antilopinae.In the most recent taxonomic account of the African Bovidae, Ansell (I 968) rejects Halternorth's terminology and reverts partly to Simpson's ( 1945) classification, using subfamily Antilopinae with the tribes Antilopini and Neotragini. However, Ansell excludes Ammodorcas and Aepyceros, both of which were included in Antilopinae, Antilopini by Simpson.Zoologica Africana 7 (1...

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

“…In the Jack Scott Reserve, Transvaal, Mason (1976) found four males to be territorial for 4-11 months. There may be some evidence for increased territoriality during the rut, as suggested by Bigalke (1972), who also found that territoriality was not simply associated with mating. Assuming solitary males and single adult males accompanying female herds to be territorial, I recorded nearly 50% more territorial males during the rut (February-March), than during the lambing season (September).…”

“…As noted by Bigalke (1972) the springbok preorbital gland does not secrete and they do ·· not use glandular scent marks as a form of advertising. However, another form of scent marking is by means of dung and urine, which is regarded by Estes ( 1969) as the oldest form of territory demarcation.…”

“…It seems probable (as suggested by Bigalke 1972) that solitary territorial males advertise their status just by being there and by their greater activity both in courting females and in chasing out trespassing males. Schenkel (1966) points out that manifestations of presence are important in maintenance of territory.…”

“…The courtship posture of the male ('nose-forward' posture), in which the head and neck are stretched forward with horns laid back and tail lifted has been described by Bigalke (1972) and Novellie (1975). In this posture it is usual for the male to run to gr~t any females appearing on his territory with loud grunting.…”

“…However, another form of scent marking is by means of dung and urine, which is regarded by Estes ( 1969) as the oldest form of territory demarcation. Springbok males use a linked urination-defaecation sequence (Bigalke 1972;David 1973) in which urination is performed in a wide 'rockinghorse' stance and followed at once by defaecation in a deep crouch on the same spot (Figures 8 & 9). This conspicuous behaviour serves as a ritualized display advertising the status of the male.…”