Steenbok

Afrikaans name: Steenbok

Female Steenbok

Photo © Steven Herbert

Raphicerus campestris

Interesting facts about Steenbok

The Steenbok is an attractive small antelope which stands about 50 cm high at the shoulder. Occasionally they are referred to as either Steinbok or Steinbuck.

They are a very neat looking animal with a fawn coloured coat and white underparts. They resemble the much larger Oribi. Only the male Steenbok has horns.

Although Steenbok can be found in a wide variety of habitats they do tend to favour those with grassy areas interspersed with trees and bushes.

Their main diet is leaves although they do sometimes dig up roots and tubers. Occasionally they will eat fruit but they only eat grass on rare occasions. They do not drink from water sources as they get their moisture requirements from the food they eat.

Steenbok may be seen singly or in pairs. Females give birth to one fawn at a time but may breed twice a year.

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References and further reading

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 88

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 244

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 26

Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 216

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 188

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 2001 - Page: 216

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 122

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 103

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 176

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillier - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 113

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Year Published: 1980 - Page: 94

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 3

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 415

Sasol First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Year Published: 2003 - Page: 48

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 173

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1996 - Page: 158

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 238

List of South African Mammals