Springbok behaviour as affected by environmental conditions in the Kalahari

Abstract

Springbok behavioural ecology in the Kalahari was examined with the use of public questionnaires and field forms. Springbok favoured grass and forbs overall more than shrubs and trees, but diet selection was influenced by time of day and season. Feeding was the most common activity and the frequency of occurrence varied during the day and between seasons. Weather and microhabitat conditions were found to have a significant effect on the feeding behaviour. Springbok fed in direct sunlight in the mornings and moved into the shade during the afternoon. More time was spent feeding in the shade during the warmer months than during the colder months, especially under northerly to northeasterly wind directions. Natural licks were commonly utilised. Herd sizes were found to increase during the cold-dry season and decrease during the hot-wet season. Springbok and blue wildebeest appeared to avoid competition by niche separation. The study showed that springbok behaviour was significantly affected by environmental conditions. These results imply that changes in climatic conditions, such as those predicted by climate change, or changes in vegetation structure due to degradation, can negatively affect springbok behaviour.

Prey preferences of free‐ranging cheetahs on farmland: scat analysis versus farmers' perceptions

“…In livestock farming areas, this decline is likely to be due to habitat loss resulting from human encroachment and widespread bush encroachment, which has led to a reduction in the dry, open plains with short grass cover that springbok favour (Kingdon, 1997;Moleele et al, 2002). This vegetation change negatively affects springbok feeding behaviour (Stapelberg et al, 2010) and increases camouflage for predators, which could make springbok, especially lambs, more vulnerable to depredation by all carnivore species (Bednekoff & Ritter, 1994). Species living in suboptimal habitat often have lower population growth rates, lowered fecundity and increased mortality (Smuts, 1978;Dunham, Robertson & Swanepoel, 2003).…”

Keeping cool on hot days: activity responses of African antelope to heat extremes

“…Springbok, being open area foragers, are probably most exposed to the heat stress of solar radiation. Springbok are known to thermoregulate by orienting the long axis of their bodies parallel to the rays of the sun (Hofmeyr, 1981) or, to a lesser degree, by seeking shade (Hofmeyr, 1981;Stapelberg et al, 2008) which is typically sparse and isolated in open habitat. Being more versatile in habitat selection, eland showed a more moderate decline in activity with increasing temperature than springbok.…”